bet on the wrong horse

bet on the wrong horse

1. To support a person or thing that ultimately fails. I truly believed our candidate would win this election, but it looks like I bet on the wrong horse. I know you're confident about the success of this product, I'm just worried you might be betting on the wrong horse.
2. To anticipate some future event incorrectly. When I was a kid, I thought by the time I grew up we'd have walking, talking robots doing everything for us. Looks like I bet on the wrong horse.
See also: bet, horse, on, wrong
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • back the wrong horse
  • play the field
  • play the field, to
  • long shot
  • long shot, (not by) a
  • long shot, a
  • a long shot
  • bet on
  • bet on (someone or something)
  • bet with