Offline mode

    大穴狙い (ōana nerai) - aiming for a dark horse/long shot (in betting)

    Grammar & Usage

    fixed expression (noun phrase)
    neutral

    How it works

    This phrase is a compound noun, formed by '大穴 (ōana)' meaning 'dark horse/long shot' and '狙い (nerai)' meaning 'aim/target'. It describes the act or strategy of targeting a low-probability, high-payout outcome, especially in gambling or competitive scenarios. It functions grammatically as a noun.

    Sample sentences

    今回は大穴狙いで、誰も予想しない馬券を買ってみた。

    This time, I'm aiming for a dark horse, so I bought a betting ticket for a horse nobody expects to win.

    彼の投資戦略はいつも大穴狙いだ。

    His investment strategy is always about going for the long shot.

    優勝候補ではないチームが大穴狙いで決勝に進出した。

    The team, not a favorite to win, advanced to the finals by aiming for a long shot.

    Quick facts

    etymology:大穴 (ōana) originally refers to a 'big hole', but in betting contexts, it metaphorically signifies an unexpected winner with very high odds. 狙い (nerai) comes from the verb 狙う (nerau - to aim).
    usage_context:Often used in the context of gambling (horse racing, lottery), but can also be applied to business strategies or life decisions where one chooses a high-risk, high-reward path.

    Mnemonic

    Sign in for a creative sound-alike story that makes "大穴狙い (ōana nerai) - aiming for a dark horse/long shot (in betting)" unforgettable 🧠

    Get an AI-generated memory hook for 大穴狙い (ōana nerai) - aiming for a dark horse/long shot (in betting) — a vivid scene that locks the word in your brain 🧠

    Example

    今回は大穴狙いで、誰も予想しない馬券を買ってみた。

    This time, I'm aiming for a dark horse, so I bought a betting ticket for a horse nobody expects to win.

    彼の投資戦略はいつも大穴狙いだ。

    His investment strategy is always about going for the long shot.

    Sign in for AI-generated examples tailored to your level ✨