stalking-horse

• Nom désignant une personne ou une chose utilisée pour dissimuler de véritables intentions ou détourner l'attention, par exemple un candidat présenté pour masquer le vrai candidat, un prétexte pour cacher des plans, ou littéralement/au sens figuré un écran utilisé à la chasse.

A noun referring to a person or thing used to conceal true intentions or to divert attention, such as a candidate put forward to mask the real candidate, a pretext to hide plans, or a literal or figurative screen used in hunting.

1. Political decoy candidateC1formalpolitical

   A candidate put forward to divide the opposition or to mask the true candidate's intentions.

   candidat leurre

   • The party used a stalking-horse to test public opinion before announcing their main candidate.
   • He was accused of being a stalking-horse for the more radical faction.
   • The election saw several stalking-horses used to confuse voters.

2. Concealment or pretextC1formal

   Something used to conceal true plans or intentions; a fictitious reason concocted to hide the real reason.

   Prétexte ou masque

   • The charity event was a stalking-horse for their real business negotiations.
   • His interest in the project was merely a stalking-horse for his own ambitions.
   • The inquiry was a stalking-horse to distract from the main scandal.

   Synonymesblindcamouflagecoverfacadefrontguisemaskpretextsmokescreen

   Antonymeshonestyrealitytruth

3. Hunting screenC2formal

   A screen shaped like a horse, behind which a hunter hides while stalking game.

   Cheval factice de chasse

   • The hunter used a stalking-horse to approach the deer without being seen.
   • Traditional hunters often employed a stalking-horse for camouflage.
   • He crafted a stalking-horse from canvas and wood for the hunt.

4. Hunting horseC2formal

   A horse behind which a hunter hides while stalking game.

   Cheval de chasse à l'approche

   • The rider trained his horse to act as a stalking-horse during hunts.
   • A stalking-horse allowed the hunter to get close to the prey.
   • He led his stalking-horse quietly through the tall grass.