伏兵
Meanings
troops in ambush; ambush force; ambush
Military use for soldiers or a force hidden in advance to attack suddenly; it refers especially to the hidden force itself.
They placed troops in ambush on the mountain road.
The unit was attacked by enemy troops lying in ambush.
unexpected opponent; unexpected obstacle; surprise rival
Figurative use for someone or something not expected to matter but that suddenly becomes a serious rival, opposition, or obstacle.
In the election campaign, an unknown newcomer became an unexpected rival.
The unexpected obstacle in running the tournament was a sudden heavy rain.
Usage patterns
- 伏兵を置くto station troops in ambush
They stationed troops in ambush behind the mountain and waited for the enemy.
- 〈人〉が伏兵になるfor someone to turn out to be an unexpected rival
The rookie turned out to be the dark horse of this tournament.
- 伏兵に遭うto be caught in an ambush
They ran into an ambush while on the march and lost many soldiers.
- 伏兵が現れるfor a surprise rival/obstacle to appear
An unexpected dark horse appeared in the final and defeated the favorite.