shoo-in
Noun: 1. An easy victory; a candidate or competitor certain to win: A "shoo-in" refers to a person, team, or option that is so strongly favored to win a contest, election, or selection that their success is considered a certainty. It implies minimal or no real competition.
The word "shoo-in" is used to describe a situation where one outcome is overwhelmingly expected. It is commonly applied in contexts like politics, sports, and competitions. - It is typically used as a predicate noun after a linking verb like "is," "was," or "seems." - It can also be used as the object of a verb (e.g., "consider a shoo-in").
- Noun:
- With her immense popularity and strong campaign, the incumbent mayor is considered a shoo-in for re-election.
- After their star player returned from injury, the team became a shoo-in to win the championship.
- The bill had so much support that its passage was a shoo-in.
- "to be a shoo-in for (something)": This common collocation specifies what the person or thing is certain to win or achieve.
- She is a shoo-in for the promotion; her performance reviews have been exceptional.
- "considered a shoo-in": A frequent passive construction indicating widespread belief in the certainty of victory.
- The proposal is considered a shoo-in for approval by the committee.
- Front-runner (n): The competitor thought to be most likely to win. (A "shoo-in" is stronger, implying near certainty, while a "front-runner" is simply the current leader.)
- Sure thing (n, informal): Something that is certain to happen or succeed.
- Lock (n, informal): A certainty, especially in sports betting contexts (e.g., "That game is a lock").
- Certainty
- Sure winner
- Inevitable winner
- Underdog
- Long shot
- Dark horse
The term originates from horse racing, where a "shoo-in" was a horse that was certain to win, sometimes implying dishonest collusion to "shoo" it across the finish line ahead of others. In modern usage, it almost always carries a neutral or positive connotation of a deserved and predictable victory, without the implication of fraud.
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an easy victory
