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View synonyms for

stalking horse

[ staw-king hawrs ]

noun

  1. a horse, or a figure of a horse, behind which a hunter hides in stalking game.
  2. anything put forward to mask plans or efforts; pretext.
  3. a political candidate used to conceal the candidacy of a more important figure or to draw votes from and cause the defeat of a rival.


stalking-horse

noun

  1. a horse or an imitation one used by a hunter to hide behind while stalking his quarry
  2. something serving as a means of concealing plans; pretext
  3. a candidate put forward by one group to divide the opposition or mask the candidacy of another person for whom the stalking-horse would then withdraw
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of stalking horse1

First recorded in 1510–20
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Journalism is not a speed horse but more of a stalking horse that doesn’t go to the lead, leaving a lot of run left when he hits the homestretch.

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Put it all together, and Kennedy’s performance raises urgent questions about whether he understands autism at all or is just using it as a stalking horse to promote his assertion that “environmental toxins” are the root of chronic diseases.

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The company then engaged Sheppard Mullin Richter and Solic Capital Advisors, which came up with a “stalking horse bidder” to buy the assets following the Chapter 11 process, Maib wrote.

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That the anti-trans panic is a stalking horse to strip rights and protections away from all women is most bluntly seen in the world of medical research.

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The Christian right opposition to Plan B is a stalking horse for banning all hormonal contraception.

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stalkingstalkless