stalking horse
The term "stalking horse" originates from hunting and has evolved to describe tactics in politics and business where a decoy is used to mask true intentions.
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Definition
C2Hunting
(dated)A horse used by hunters as a cover to approach game without being noticed.
Example
- In traditional hunting, a stalking horse allowed hunters to get close to their prey.
C1Politics
(idiomatic)A candidate introduced to test public opinion or to divert attention from a more serious contender.
Example
- The party used a stalking horse to gauge voter sentiment before the main election.
C2Business
(technical)An initial bid on a bankrupt company's assets that sets a minimum price for subsequent bids.
Example
- The company accepted a stalking horse bid to establish a baseline for other potential buyers.
C1General
(idiomatic)A person or thing used to disguise true intentions or to test the waters before a major move.
Example
- The new policy was a stalking horse to see how the public would react to larger changes.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "stalking horse":