The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word UNDERDOG
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
U
N
D
E
R
D
O
G
More clues leading to the result UNDERDOG
- Unfancied person grounded, unfortunately
- Likely loser grounded unexpectedly
- Make rare gaffe initially being an outsider
- He’s likely to lose, according to boxer?
- Not a Peke, presumably
- Feebler party? Don’t cook enough goulash for starter
- No drudge at work – little fellow
- Cook too little grub for starter and unfancied competitor
- Probable failure grounded after failing
- Being grounded, perhaps, and made a scapegoat
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "He’s likely to lose" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case he’s likely to lose = underdog.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does UNDERDOG mean?
UNDERDOG noun- A competitor thought unlikely to win.
- Somebody at a disadvantage.
- A high swing wherein the person pushing the swing runs beneath the swing while the person being pushed is at the forward limit of the arc.