Definition

1. Noun:
   • A literal horse or a screen shaped like a horse: An object used by a hunter to conceal themselves while approaching game.
   • A pretext or deceptive means: Something used to conceal one's true intentions or plans.
   • A political decoy candidate: A candidate put forward in an election to draw votes from an opponent or to conceal the identity or test the strength of another, more serious candidate.

Usage Examples

• Literal/Object:
  • The hunter used a stalking-horse to get close to the deer.
• Pretext/Deception:
  • The company's environmental survey was merely a stalking-horse for its real estate development plans.
• Political Candidate:
  • The party ran a stalking-horse candidate to challenge the unpopular incumbent in the primary.

Advanced Usage

• "to be/act as a stalking-horse for": To serve as a cover or decoy for someone or something else.
  • The minor policy change acted as a stalking-horse for a much more radical overhaul of the system.

Variants and Related Words

• Stalk (verb): To pursue or approach stealthily.
• Decoy (noun): A person or thing used to lure someone into a trap or situation.

Synonyms

• Pretext: A reason given to justify an action that is not the real reason.
• Front: A person or organization serving as a cover for subversive or illegal activities.
• Smokescreen: Something designed to conceal, confuse, or mislead.

Related Phrases

• Trojan horse: (Idiom) Something intended to undermine or subvert from within. While similar in the concept of deception, a "Trojan horse" implies infiltration and betrayal, whereas a "stalking-horse" implies concealment and misdirection of intent.

Noun

1. a horse behind which a hunter hides while stalking game
2. screen consisting of a figure of a horse behind which a hunter hides while stalking game
3. something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
4. a candidate put forward to divide the Opposition or to mask the true candidate