黑马 hēimǎ dark horse
dark horse; figuratively unexpected winner
How to remember 黑马: 黑 black + 马 horse (Kangxi radical 187) = dark horse.
Characters
How it is used
- A dark horse - an unexpected winner - 本届比赛的最大黑马 (běn jiè bǐsài de zuìdà hēimǎ) the biggest dark horse of this competition.
- Figurative: a little-known contender who surprises everyone by winning or excelling.
- Register: sports, elections, business; a direct calque of the English idiom.