also-rans
also-rans — noun
1. people or competitors who have little chance of winning or who finish without su
people or competitors who have little chance of winning or who finish without success
Most analysts treated the smaller parties as also-rans before the first debate.
treated + as also-rans
The film received polite reviews but ended awards season among the also-rans.
among the also-rans
After two early defeats, the club looked like one of the also-rans.
The report did not mention the also-rans, focusing only on the three leading bids.
- non-winners
neutral and literal
- outsiders
people considered unlikely to win before a contest
- front-runners
people most likely to win
- winners
people who succeed in a contest
文法句型
dismiss someone as also-rans
among the also-rans
finish with the also-rans
用法筆記
Usually plural. It can describe competitors in sport, politics, business, or any contest where some people are clearly not serious contenders.
常見錯誤
Do not use 'also-rans' for every person who loses. It usually suggests people or competitors who were not close to winning.