Everybody roots for the underdog. Whether it’s a scrappy team with no chance, a movie character who refuses to quit, or a joke that’s so bad it’s actually good—there’s something about an underdog that wins us over. And in the world of puns, underdog jokes do exactly that. They’re often overlooked, sometimes groan-worthy, but somehow they always manage to steal the spotlight.
That same charm applies off the field too. Whether you’re cheering for an unexpected sports victory or learning how to draft a sleeper pick, underdogs are full of surprises. If you’re curious how that plays out in fantasy sports, check out how Lines explains the ins and outs of Underdog Fantasy—a platform that lets even the most overlooked pick make a big impact.
Now, if you’re ready for some jokes that rise to the occasion, here are 25 underdog puns that prove punchlines don’t have to be flashy to win big laughs.
1. I told my goldfish he’d never be a stand-up comic.
Now he’s tanking on purpose.
2. I joined a turtle racing league.
It’s slow-going, but I’m shell-shocked by the competition.
3. My cactus auditioned for a movie.
He didn’t get the part, but he really stuck with it.
4. I trained my ant to lift breadcrumbs.
He’s starting small, but the buzz is growing.
5. The banana ran a marathon.
He slipped a few times, but still peeled off a win.
6. My calculator failed math class.
Now he’s trying to make it count.
7. I told my socks they’d never be noticed.
They made a pair of strong arguments.
8. The blender entered a rap battle.
His bars were mixed, but he still crushed it.
9. I know a snail who joined a track team.
He’s not fast, but his pace is escargot-ing places.
10. The pigeon said he’d never be taken seriously.
Now he’s cooing critics left and right.
11. My shadow went to therapy.
He finally stepped out of the background.
12. I wrote a song about silence.
Critics said it spoke volumes.
13. My broom was told it would never sweep a competition.
Now it’s cleaning up.
14. The fridge tried stand-up.
He left the crowd chilled—but still cool.
15. I told my garden gnome he couldn’t act.
Now he’s up for a small role.
16. I backed a pig in a spelling bee.
He may not win, but he’s bringing home the bacon.
17. My keyboard’s space bar felt overlooked.
Now it’s getting a lot of attention.
18. I started rooting for the Wi-Fi signal in my basement.
Against all odds, it connected.
19. The undercooked pasta entered a race.
It came in al dente, but not last.
20. My pet rock joined a debate club.
He still hasn’t cracked.
21. The candle wanted to be a star.
They said he’d burn out, but he’s still lit.
22. I adopted a stray comma.
Now he’s making big pauses in Hollywood.
23. I cheered for my phone’s battery at 1%.
It hung in there longer than expected.
24. The yo-yo said he was down for anything.
Turns out, he bounced back better than ever.
25. The last slice of pizza didn’t think it mattered.
Now it’s the main attraction.
Laughs from the Sidelines
Underdog jokes work because they surprise us. They take the forgotten, the underestimated, and the oddball ideas—and turn them into something unexpectedly clever. Just like the backup player who scores the game-winning goal or the fantasy pick no one saw coming, these jokes prove that you don’t have to be the favorite to be funny.
They may start off small, but with the right setup and a perfectly timed punchline, they can leave a whole room laughing. So next time someone says your joke is too cheesy, too quiet, or too obscure—remember: that’s exactly how underdog stories begin. And they almost always come out on top.