stalking horse
A candidate put forward to serve a hidden, ulterior purpose in a political campaign, such as testing the field for another potential candidate by gauging voter sentiment or covertly helping another candidate by attracting voters away from a third candidate.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The candidate acts as a stalking horse for the party leader.”
“Many analysts believe the minor candidate is merely a stalking horse designed to split the opposition vote.”
“By entering the primary race, the senator served as a stalking horse, testing public reaction before the frontrunner officially announced his own campaign.”
- 01
beat a dead horse
To persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.
- 02
change horses in midstream
To change one's plan or approach when an effort is already underway or at another inopportune time.
- 03
charley horse
A muscle cramp, usually a strong one, in the thigh, leg, arm, or core.
- 04
close the stable door after the horse has bolted
To attempt to prevent a problem that has already occurred; to design and implement a preventive mechanism that is too late (after the first failure instead of before).
- 05
dark horse
Someone who possesses talents or favorable characteristics that are not known or expected by others.
- 06
drive a coach and horses through
To spoil, break or render ineffective (a rule, plan or agreement).
- 07
enough to choke a horse
An excessive quantity.
- 08
flog a dead horse
To attempt to get more out of something that cannot give more; to attempt to arouse fresh interest in something that is either hopeless or already settled.
Last updated August 10, 2026