stalking horse

noun

stalk·​ing horse ˈstȯ-kiŋ- How to pronounce stalking horse (audio)
1
: a horse or a figure like a horse behind which a hunter stalks game
2
: something used to mask a purpose
3
: a candidate put forward to divide the opposition or to conceal someone's real candidacy

Examples of stalking horse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In this scenario, the stalking horse bidder, Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, would set the floor for the auction process. Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025 The company is seeking court approval to commence a process for the sale of substantially all of its assets under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code pursuant to which Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, which recently sold Big Lots, would serve as the stalking horse bidder. Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, which recently bought much of Big Lots, is the stalking horse bidder at an undisclosed price. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025 Vintage Wine Estates has received several stalking horse offers in its bankruptcy auction. Kimberly Chin, Axios, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stalking horse 

Word History

First Known Use

1519, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stalking horse was in 1519

Dictionary Entries Near stalking horse

Cite this Entry

“Stalking horse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stalking%20horse. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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