stalk·ing-horse

(stô′kĭng-hôrs′)

1. Something used to cover one's true purpose; a decoy.

2. A sham candidate put forward to conceal the candidacy of another or to divide the opposition.

a. A horse trained to conceal the hunter while stalking.

b. A canvas screen made in the figure of a horse, used for similar concealment.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

stalking-horse

1. (Hunting) 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. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) 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

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

stalk′ing-horse`

1. a horse, or a figure of a horse, behind which a hunter hides in stalking game.

2. anything used to mask one's true plans; pretext.

3. a political candidate put forth to conceal the candidacy of another person or to draw votes from a rival.

[1510–20]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	stalking-horse - a candidate put forward to divide the Opposition or to mask the true candidate campaigner, candidate, nominee - a politician who is running for public office
	2.	stalking-horse - something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason pretext dissembling, feigning, pretense, pretence - pretending with intention to deceive putoff - a pretext for delay or inaction
	3.	stalking-horse - screen consisting of a figure of a horse behind which a hunter hides while stalking game cover, covert, concealment, screen - a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something; "a screen of trees afforded privacy"; "under cover of darkness"; "the brush provided a covert for game"; "the simplest concealment is to match perfectly the color of the background"
	4.	stalking-horse - a horse behind which a hunter hides while stalking game Equus caballus, horse - solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

Translations

stalking-horse

n (fig: = person) → Strohmann m → /-frau f; (= pretext) → Vorwand m

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

The rookie politician is being groomed as a potential "stalking horse" candidate to test the strength of opposition to Salmond.

BE AFRAID ALEX, BE VERY AFRAID; He's young, he looks like a film star and he's gunning for Salmond

M2 EQUITYBITES-August 29, 2018-Quest Subsidiary to Acquire Provant Health Assets in USD 27m Stalking Horse Bid

Quest Subsidiary to Acquire Provant Health Assets in USD 27m Stalking Horse Bid

Pernix Therapeutics announced that it has agreed to participate in an investor group that has entered into a "stalking horse" asset purchase agreement to acquire certain assets of Orexigen Therapeutics including worldwide rights to Contrave, a prescription-only weight loss medication, for $75M.P "We believe this transaction presents an attractive opportunity for Pernix to invest in a differentiated, market leading product and add to its portfolio of branded medications," said John Sedor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pernix.

Pernix in asset purchase agreement for certain assets of Orexigen

31 March 2017 - Bankrupt outdoor retail network Gander Mountain Co has filed a stalking horse bid by a joint venture comprised of Gordon Brothers and Hilco Merchant Resources to purchase substantially all of its assets, the company said.

Bankrupt Retailer Gander Mountain Files Stalking Horse Bid by Gordon Brothers, Hilco Merchant Resources JV

Allens wants to appoint one of at least three potential buyers as a "stalking horse" bidder, which means the bidder has the opportunity to match any other bids Allens might receive.

59 companies looking at Allens

has a "stalking horse" that it's hoped can lead it out of bankruptcy with most of the firm's production and construction jobs intact, according to Bill Gannon, attorney for the Berlin-based company.

Horse' trading: possible buyer emerges in Isaacson bankruptcy

Indeed, the plea by Liverpool is so crass I can only assume it's a stalking horse in a possible future challenge to UEFA's financial fair play rules.

Kop TV bid's a step down Kenyon way

Newcastle didn't make an official bid but believe they were being used as a stalking horse by Leeds to drive up Smith's price.

Football: Toon drop out of Smith chase

Even when the tenant has absolutely no intention of relocating, it is wise to identify one or several "stalking horse properties" against which the landlord must compete.

Strategic planning for lease renewals

M2 EQUITYBITES-February 12, 2018-Appvion Seeks US Bankruptcy Court Nod for Stalking Horse Bid

Appvion Seeks US Bankruptcy Court Nod for Stalking Horse Bid

Holding company creditors won on two points: lowering the breakup fee to $640,000 and requiring the stalking horse bidder, Ford Financial Fund II of Dallas, to put up a $1 million deposit required of other bidders.

Final score

He added: "There is no person in the Cabinet ready to do the damage, it needs a stalking horse." But Mr Brown yesterday insisted he was staying put, saying only he had the experience and leadership to steer Labour to the general election.

PM WARNED OF STALKING HORSE RIVAL