C1idiomnatureIELTS-friendly
a dark horse
USUK
a person with hidden talents, or a competitor nobody expected to do well
In British English it often means someone who keeps their life or skills secret: 'You're a dark horse! I didn't know you could cook.'
In context
Quiet Duc turned out to be a dark horse and won the singing contest.
The small party is the dark horse in this election.
More idioms about nature
- a big fish in a small pondan important person, but only in a small group or place
- a bird's-eye viewa view of something from high above
- a breath of fresh airsomeone or something new and different that makes a situation more pleasant
- a drop in the oceana very small amount compared with what is needed
- a fly in the ointmentone small problem that spoils something that is otherwise good