giant-killings
David defeats Goliath
Giant-killings are victories by underdogs over heavily favored opponents, especially in sports.
The term evokes David slaying Goliath—a smaller, weaker competitor toppling a dominant one.
British football produces the most celebrated giant-killings when lower-league clubs defeat Premier League sides in cup competitions: The FA Cup is famous for its giant-killings.
Violent sudden disturbance
- stunnerPerson or thing overwhelming
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- topplingCausing to collapse
- downfallSudden loss of power
dethronement · unseating · overturning · humbling · scalp · coup · collapse · demise
Disturb, topple, or shock
- dark-horseUnlikely but possible winner
- minnowsTiny freshwater fish
- scalpSkin covering skull
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
elimination · underdog · spoiler · tournament · qualifier · seed · rankings · underdogs
Exceptionally brave and noble
- epicImpressively grand in scope
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- monumentalExceptionally large or significant
- spectacularStrikingly impressive to behold
electrifying · exhilarating · riveting · climactic · jaw-dropping · heart-stopping · breathtaking · sensational
Unexpected event causing astonishment
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
fluke · aberration · disbelief · incredulity · unforeseen · unanticipated · unthinkable · implausible
shock
Violent sudden disturbance
downfall · dethronement · unseating · overturning · humbling · scalp · coup · collapse · demise · debacle
upset
Disturb, topple, or shock
- dark-horseUnlikely but possible winner
- minnowsTiny freshwater fish
- scalpSkin covering skull
knockout · elimination · underdog · spoiler · tournament · qualifier · seed · rankings · underdogs · competition
heroic
Exceptionally brave and noble
- epicImpressively grand in scope
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- monumentalExceptionally large or significant
spectacular · electrifying · exhilarating · riveting · climactic · jaw-dropping · heart-stopping · breathtaking · sensational · dramatic
surprise
Unexpected event causing astonishment
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
anomaly · fluke · aberration · disbelief · incredulity · unforeseen · unanticipated · unthinkable · implausible · improbable
giant-killingsforegone conclusions
Results assumed beforehand
walkovers · routs · thrashings · blowouts · formalities
giant, giants, giantess, giantesses, giantism, gigantic, gigantism, kill, kills