# one-horse race

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/one-horse-race
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An election campaign or other competitive situation in which only one competitor is entered or in which only one competitor has a realistic chance of winning.

## Examples

- The election is a one-horse race because no one else is running.
- With the main opposition party failing to field a candidate, the local election has become a one-horse race.
- Given the incumbent's overwhelming popularity and the lack of a viable challenger, the upcoming contest is widely considered a one-horse race.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.