Words & TermsSport and recreation
no-hoper
A person or competitor with little prospect of success.
In a sentence
The supposed no-hoper surprised everyone by reaching the final.
Where it came from
From the phrase no hope plus the agentive ending -er. Originally prominent in sporting language for an entrant with little prospect, then extended to people or plans thought unlikely to succeed.
- Initial era
- 1900–1999
- Where used
- Australia-wide
- Use today
- Current informal