stalking-horse

• 指用来掩盖真实意图或转移注意力的手段、人或事物，例如为掩饰真正候选人而推出的陪衬候选人，或掩盖计划的借口，也指狩猎中用作掩护的实物或比喻性幌子。

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.

   政治诱饵候选人

   • 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.

   幌子

   • 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.

   同义词blindcamouflagecoverfacadefrontguisemaskpretextsmokescreen

   反义词honestyrealitytruth

3. Hunting screenC2formal

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

   马形猎屏

   • 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.

   掩马

   • 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.