stalking horse

stalk·ing-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

Word History and Origins

Origin of stalking horse¹

First recorded in 1510–20

Related Words

• also-ran 
• long shot 
• sleeper 
• underdog