also ran
Out of contention
An also-ran is a competitor who finishes out of the running—originally a horse that doesn't place in a race, now anyone who loses or fails to distinguish themselves: He was just an also-ran in the primary.
The term implies not merely losing but being forgettable, part of the undifferentiated pack behind the winners.
- loserDefeated competitor
- third placeRank after second
- defeatedOvercome in contest
- fell shortFailed to reach goal
- underdogPresumed loser beforehand
trailing · forgotten · obscure · failed · candidate · hopeful · straggler · laggard · out of the running · washout · flop · minor league · second string · longshot · dark-horse · nominee · primary · ballot
- sports idiomsdrop the ball, throw in the towel, slam dunk, out of left field, level playing field
- horse racingthoroughbred, horse racing, racehorse, flat race, horses
- losing phrasesgame over, you lose, lose out, defeated, beaten
competitive success
also ranwinner
One who prevails
victor · champion · frontrunner · gold medalist · titleholder