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Synonyms

shoo-in

American  
[shoo-in] / ˈʃuˌɪn /

noun

Informal.

  1. a candidate, competitor, etc., regarded as certain to win.

shoo-in British  

noun

  1. a person or thing that is certain to win or succeed

  2. a match or contest that is easy to win

"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

Etymology

Origin of shoo-in

1945–50, noun use of verb phrase shoo in

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Oscar predictors proclaimed earlier in the season that Chalamet was basically a shoo-in for the award.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

He offers so much to Manchester City and is a shoo-in for the England squad.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

As time went on, and prospective nominees like Mosaku and Madigan continued to generate buzz among the general public into the new year, even a shoo-in like Grande was met with a surprise.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

The Rebels are considered a shoo-in for a spot in the 12-team postseason field, which will be announced Sunday.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2025

Observing the look of dumb horror on his face as the waiter delivered the ugly pizza, I decided that, in a test of basic intelligence, I was a definite shoo-in.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.