giant-killing
Underdog defeats favorite
Giant-killing is the defeat of a powerful opponent by a much weaker one, from the David-and-Goliath archetype.
The term appears most often in British sports coverage when lower-division clubs upset premier teams: The third-round draw produced several giant-killing opportunities.
A giant-killer is the underdog who pulls off such an upset.
Presumed loser beforehand
- David vs GoliathWeak defeating the strong
- Cinderella storyImprobable rise to victory
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- stunnerPerson or thing overwhelming
miracle · dark horse · sensation · slayer · dethrone · topple · overthrow · triumph
underdog
Presumed loser beforehand
- David vs GoliathWeak defeating the strong
- Cinderella storyImprobable rise to victory
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
stunner · miracle · dark horse · sensation · slayer · dethrone · topple · overthrow · triumph · vanquish
giant-killingdomination
Supreme authority held
crushing defeat · steamrolling · rout · thrashing · blowout
giant, kill, giants, giantess, gigantic, gigantism, kills, killed, killer