Phrase guide

one-horse race

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A horse race in which a single horse takes such a considerable lead that the other horses are no longer contenders to win.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Topics: hobbies, horse-racing, horseracing, horses, lifestyle, pets, racing, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An election campaign or other competitive situation in which only one competitor is entered or in which only one competitor has a realistic chance of winning.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.