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

Example Sentences

The attack on subsidies is a stalking horse for their long-term project of killing Obamacare.

From Los Angeles Times

A Labour source said: "I've heard of a stalking horse, but this guy is going to get hoarse from his endless stalking."

From BBC

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• also-ran 
• long shot 
• sleeper 
• underdog