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A year ago he was just an also-ran for the Democratic nomination.
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The campaign transformed him from an also-ran in the polls to front-runner.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
also-ran — n someone who fails to win a competition, election etc ▪ Ten months ago he was just an also ran for the Democratic nomination … Dictionary of contemporary English
also-ran — (n.) 1896, originally in reference to horse races, from ALSO (Cf. also) + past tense of RUN (Cf. run) (v.). Probably from the way non placing horses were listed in race results … Etymology dictionary
also-ran — also rans N COUNT If you describe someone as an also ran, you mean that they have been or are likely to be unsuccessful in a contest … English dictionary
also-ran — also ,ran noun count someone who is not successful, especially someone who loses an election or competition … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
also-ran — ► NOUN ▪ a loser in a race or contest … English terms dictionary
also-ran — ☆ also ran [ôl′sōran΄ ] n. 1. a horse that fails to finish first, second, or third in a race 2. Informal any loser in any competition … English World dictionary
also-ran — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms also ran : singular also ran plural also rans someone who is not successful, especially someone who loses an election or competition … English dictionary
also-ran — noun Date: 1896 1. a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race 2. a contestant that does not win 3. one that is of little importance especially competitively < was just an also ran in the scramble for…privileges C. A. Buss > … New Collegiate Dictionary
also-ran — n A horse that loses races or an unsuccessful human competitor. Dealer s Choice is another also ran that never won a race. 1890s … Historical dictionary of American slang
also-ran — This term refers to an unsuccessful competitor whose performance is so much poorer than the winner s that it appears insignificant. He entered the contest hoping that he wouldn t end up as an also ran … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
