underdog

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Indo-European *h₁entér Proto-Indo-European *(H)n̥dʰí Proto-Indo-European *-ér Proto-Indo-European *(H)n̥dʰér Proto-Germanic *under Proto-West Germanic *undar Old English under- Middle English under- English under- Old English [Term?]? Proto-Germanic *-gô Proto-West Germanic *-gō Old English -ga Old English dogga Middle English dogge English dog English underdog From under- + dog.

1. A competitor thought unlikely to win.

   “They were the underdogs in the basketball competition.”

   “In Athens, the Americans are underdogs to the Chinese and the Canadians (the Canadians!)”

2. Somebody at a disadvantage.

   “Laszlo: Isn't it strange that you always happened to be fighting on the side of the underdog? Rick: Yes. I found that a very expensive hobby, too. But then I never was much of a businessman.”

3. A high swing wherein the person pushing the swing runs beneath the swing while the person being pushed is at the forward limit of the arc.