shoo-in

[shoo-in]

noun

Informal.

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

shoo-in

noun

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

2. a match or contest that is easy to win

Word History and Origins

Origin of shoo-in¹

1945–50, noun use of verb phrase shoo in

Example Sentences

One loaf, and she was a shoo-in for the baker’s job, though I suspect she may have knocked out the competition with some hocus-pocus, too, if rumors are to be believed.”

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Chair Jerome Powell indicated in his Wednesday news conference that a December cut isn’t a shoo-in, partly because of a lack of economic data during the government shutdown.

Read more on Barron's

In many New York cities and towns, Cuomo would presumably be a shoo-in for mayor.

Read more on Salon

Heading into training camp, Taylor Heinicke appeared to be a shoo-in for the role, even with the addition of Trey Lance, who was joining his third team in four years.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When fit, she is one of the first names on Wiegman's teamsheet and would have been a shoo-in for the squad.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• front-runner