story
David and Goliath
An underdog defeating a much larger opponent.
Origin
In 1 Samuel, the young shepherd David faces the Philistine giant Goliath in single combat. He refuses armor, takes a sling and five stones, and kills the giant with one shot. The story established the template for underdog victories.
Modern usage
Used in sports, business, and politics whenever a small player takes on an entrenched giant โ and especially when they win.
In the wild
It's a David and Goliath case: one user-rights group against the entire platform.โ tech reporting
Tags
underdog
courage