0

I am looking for a word or a concise expression for a sports team A that over a period of time has a consistent record of beating a rival sports team B.

It is not necessary that A are better than B. Perhaps B has more achievements, cups, championships, is higher in the league's table, has higher payed players, whatever.

But when they play against each other A wins.

In Spanish they would say that "A has B as their sons" (los tienen de hijos). Or that A is B's father.

I am looking for a similar expression (preferably a single word) in English.

5 Answers 5

1

There is a number of options:

  1. Outmatched is most appropriate when:

    Team A, over a period of time, has a consistent record of beating Team B. (paraphrased)

  2. Arch-nemesis. (prefix "arch-" is optional.)
    So A becomes B's arch-nemesis (meaning a formidable/unbeatable foe). Side note: rivalry implies a sense of equality or fair chances of winning for both teams - this is not the case in your example.

  3. The term "underdog" is used especially when a less prestigious/favourable team (Team A) is compared with a "better" or popular team (Team B).
    Team A is the underdog in this matchup versus Team B.
    When the underdog actually wins, it's called an "upset."
  4. Dark horse is a synonym of underdog.

Please note that 2. is more poetic while 3. and 4. are common/conversational sports terms.

Sources: Merriam-Webster for 1 & 2
         Wikipedia for 3 & 4
1

In the UK if team A consistently beats team B, though team B is clearly the more successful invariably finishing higher up the league table, we can say that A are their bogey team.

1
1

Maybe you are looking for the phrase to have someone's number.

Team A has beaten team B in their last five matches. It seems that team A has team B's number.

The word dominate is also frequently used to similar effect when talking about sports.

0

You may consider the verb "to overshadow", see the first meaning here.

0

In America we say that Team A owns Team B.

2
  • A similar slang is pawn: Team A pawned Team B! Or Team B got pawned by Team A. Commented Sep 28, 2014 at 20:24
  • 3
    I think you mean pwn. A typo of own that gained currency via online gaming.
    – Robusto
    Commented Sep 28, 2014 at 20:38

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .