front-runner
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The competitor considered most likely to win: A person, team, or organization that is leading or is widely expected to succeed in a competition, election, or race.
Usage
The term "front-runner" is used to describe the current favorite or leader in any competitive context. It implies a position of perceived advantage based on current performance, polling, or public opinion. It is often used in politics, sports, and business.
Examples
- In Politics:
- After winning the first three primaries, she became the clear front-runner for the party's nomination.
- The latest polls show the incumbent mayor as the front-runner in the upcoming election.
- In Sports:
- With only two laps to go, car number 42 is the front-runner.
- The defending champion is the front-runner to win the tournament again this year.
- In General Competition:
- Their company is the front-runner to secure the major government contract.
Advanced Usage
- "To emerge as the front-runner": To become the perceived leader after a period of competition.
- A relatively unknown candidate emerged as the front-runner after a series of strong debate performances.
- "The front-runner status": The position or condition of being the front-runner.
- Her front-runner status made her the target of attacks from other candidates.
Variants and Related Words
- Front-running (noun): The practice of trading shares or other assets based on advance, non-public information from a client order. (Note: This is a specialized financial/legal term distinct from the general competitive meaning).
- The broker was accused of front-running.
Synonyms
- Favorite
- Leader
- Contender (when implying a leading contender)
- Pace-setter
Antonyms
- Underdog
- Long shot
- Outsider
- Trailer
Related Idioms/Phrases
- "Out in front": Leading a race or competition. While similar, this is a descriptive phrase rather than a single noun like "front-runner."
- She is out in front in the polls.
Noun
- a competitor thought likely to win