🏇 Front Runner: When You’re Ahead of the Pack 🚀
Definition
Front runner — Someone who is expected to win. While the term roots back to horse racing, it transitioned into a figurative speech in the first half of the 1900s. It’s prominently used in political contexts to denote a leading candidate but is also applied to various contests.
Synonyms
- Leading candidate
- Top contender
- Forerunner
- Pace-setter
Antonyms
- Underdog
- Dark horse
- Long shot
Related Terms and Expressions
- Ahead of the curve - Leading in progress or trends.
- Top dog - The most important or powerful person in a group.
- Trailblazer - Someone who is the first to do something and shows that it is also possible.
Humor-filled Quotes
- “Being a front runner is great until everyone behind you starts throwing pebbles at your back.” — Imaginary Witt
- “The advantage of being a front runner: You get a better view of everyone else eating your dust.” — Sagey Quicksteppes
Literary and Cultural References
- In Gold Mine (1970) by Wilbur Smith, the phrase appears: “He had joined C.R.C. a mere twelve years previously and now he was the front runner.”
- Politics: “Every political race has a front runner, but the front can quickly turn into the back in the blink of an election.”
- Sports: The term is ubiquitously used in sports commentary to label athletes or teams expected to clinch victory.
Recommended Reads & Watch List
Literature
- “Gold Mine” by Wilbur Smith
- “The Front Runner” by Patricia Nell Warren
Movies
- The Front Runner (2018) - A biographical film about Gary Hart’s 1988 presidential campaign.
Quizzes
### What does the term "front runner" mean?
- [x] Someone expected to win
- [ ] A person who literally runs ahead on a racing track
- [ ] Someone inventing a new race
- [ ] A person who always finishes last
> **Explanation:** The term "front runner" relates to someone expected to win in a contest, originally from horse racing but now widely used in politics and other competitive arenas.
### Identify the synonym for 'front runner.'
- [x] Leading candidate
- [ ] Dark horse
- [ ] Backmarker
- [ ] Tailender
> **Explanation:** The synonyms for 'front runner' include 'leading candidate' while 'dark horse,' 'backmarker,' and 'tailender' denote someone less likely to win.
### An antonym for "front runner" is:
- [ ] Pace-setter
- [x] Underdog
- [ ] Top contender
- [ ] Forerunner
> **Explanation:** 'Underdog' is an antonym for 'front runner,' referring to someone who is not expected to win.
### True or False: The term "front runner" can be used in non-racing contexts.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True, "front runner" was originally used in horse racing but is now applied to various contests, including political ones.
Thought-Provoking Farewell
As you venture forward, remember that being a front runner isn’t merely about chasing the top spot; it’s about setting your own pace, leaving a trail for others to follow, and sometimes even falling behind to find the wisdom to rise again.
Published by
W. T. Wittywords, October 1, 2023
