an also ran
1also-ran — n someone who fails to win a competition, election etc ▪ Ten months ago he was just an also ran for the Democratic nomination …
2also-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 …
3also-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 …
4also-ran — also ,ran noun count someone who is not successful, especially someone who loses an election or competition …
5also-ran — ► NOUN ▪ a loser in a race or contest …
6also-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 …
7also-ran — noun a contestant who loses the contest • Syn: ↑loser • Ant: ↑winner (for: ↑loser) • Derivationally related forms: ↑lose (for: ↑ …
8also-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 …
9also-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 > …
10also-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 …
