lanterne rouge

From French lanterne rouge (literally “red lantern”), referring to the red lantern at the rear of a train.

lanterne rouge (plural lanternes rouges)

1. (chiefly sports) The competitor in last place in a competition; the person or entity at the bottom of a ranking
2. (chiefly sports, originally cycling) Last place in a competition or other ranking

• IPA^(key): /lɑ̃.tɛʁ.n(ə) ʁuʒ/

lanterne rouge f (plural lanternes rouges)

1. (literally) red lantern
2. (specifically) red lantern at the rear of a train
3. (chiefly sports) Lanterne rouge, the competitor in last place in a competition; the person or entity at the bottom of a ranking
   • 2018 "Liga - 17e journée : Valence s'arrache contre la lanterne rouge" Eurosport:

     Ce ne fut pas une sinécure mais le Valence CF a fini par s'imposer dimanche contre la lanterne rouge Huesca (2-1)

4. (chiefly sports, originally cycling) Lanterne rouge, last place in a competition or other ranking
   • 2010 August 18 "Les taxis parisiens réputés malpolis" RFI:

     Londres figure en tête du classement et Paris en lanterne rouge.

• → English: lanterne rouge