Idiom
Do a Devon Loch
Meaning
To fail when everyone expects you to succeed; to fail unexpectedly; to fail when you are close to winning.
Origin
Devon Loch was a racehorse who collapsed just before crossing the finish line at the UK Grand National race in 1956. One shouldn’t worry after reading this, however – he recovered quite quickly and lived another six years, but the term has stuck become an idiom in English ever since then.
The idiom is often used while talking about sports or athletes.
Devon Loch was a racehorse who collapsed just before crossing the finish line at the UK Grand National race in 1956. One shouldn’t worry after reading this, however – he recovered quite quickly and lived another six years, but the term has stuck become an idiom in English ever since then. The idiom is often used while talking about sports or athletes.
Examples
She had always been a brilliant student, so everyone was surprised when she did a Devon Loch and came in last.
It was shocking how Liverpool did a Devon Loch at the match against Manchester United. We were all expecting them to win!
At just a couple of points away from winning, it will be a Devon Loch if Serena Williams loses this match.
