stalking-horse [
'stɔkɪŋ`hɔrs]
n. 掩蔽马, 隐蔽, 口实, 假托
stalking-horse[ noun ]- a candidate put forward to divide the Opposition or to mask the true candidate
<noun.person>
- something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
<noun.communication>
- screen consisting of a figure of a horse behind which a hunter hides while stalking game
<noun.artifact>
- a horse behind which a hunter hides while stalking game
<noun.animal>
Stalking-horse \Stalk"ing-horse`\ (st[add]k"[i^]ng-h[^o]rs`), n.
1. A horse, or a figure resembling a horse, behind which a
hunter conceals himself from the game he is aiming to
kill.
2. Fig.: Something used to cover up a secret project; a mask;
a pretense.
Hypocrisy is the devil's stalking-horse under an
affectation of simplicity and religion.
--L'Estrange.
How much more abominable is it to make of him
[Christ] and religion a stalking-horse, to get and
enjoy the world! --Bunyan.
- The latter have no champion ready to take over the party and insufficient voters to support a stalking-horse.