bottom dog
One who loses
The bottom dog is the person or group in the weakest, most disadvantaged position—the opposite of top dog.
While top dog suggests dominance and success, bottom dog implies being defeated, downtrodden, or lowest in a hierarchy: In this economy, small businesses are always the bottom dog.
The image comes from dogfighting, where the losing animal ends up pinned beneath.
One excluded from group
- disadvantagedLacking social or economic resources
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- marginalizedPushed to society's edges
- subordinateOne lower in rank
little guy · small fry · dark horse · long shot · underestimated · second fiddle · pecking order · have-not
One still alive after
- comebackRecovery after decline
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
fortitude · perseverance · determination · steadfastness · bounceback · indomitable · unbreakable · undaunted
Suffering from difficult circumstances
- adversitySevere difficulty or suffering
- povertySevere lack of resources
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- inequalityUnequal distribution of resources
discrimination · deprivation · exploitation · survival · obstacle · powerlessness · disenfranchisement · subjugation
outsider
One excluded from group
- disadvantagedLacking social or economic resources
- overlookedNot noticed or considered
- marginalizedPushed to society's edges
subordinate · little guy · small fry · dark horse · long shot · underestimated · second fiddle · pecking order · have-not · also-ran
survivor
One still alive after
- comebackRecovery after decline
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
endurance · fortitude · perseverance · determination · steadfastness · bounceback · indomitable · unbreakable · undaunted · rising up
hardship
Suffering from difficult circumstances
- adversitySevere difficulty or suffering
- povertySevere lack of resources
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
inequality · discrimination · deprivation · exploitation · survival · obstacle · powerlessness · disenfranchisement · subjugation · disadvantage