Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be the favorite to win a race before it even starts? Well, in the colorful world of idiomatic expressions, that’s exactly what a shoo-in is—a guaranteed winner!
Shoo-In 🐎
Definition: A sure winner. Origin: This term hails from the exciting world of horse racing. The verb “to shoo” has long meant to drive or urge on, and in the early 1900s, corrupt jockeys would let a long shot horse win by holding back faster horses. Turned into a noun, this expression now describes a certain team, political candidate, or other competitor slated for victory, minus the shady dealings.
Related Terms:
- A dead cert: Absolutely certain to occur.
- Lead-pipe cinch: An outcome that’s guaranteed.
- Sure bet: Extremely likely to succeed.
- In the bag: Virtually assured or settled.
Synonyms:
- Sure thing
- Certainty
- Laydown misère (Bridge terminology)
Antonyms:
- Long shot
- Gambit
- Risk
Humor-filled Quotes:
- “I’m such a shoo-in for this karaoke contest, even the microphone knows my name!” 🎤
- “He’s a shoo-in for the job—so much so that even the office plant wrote a recommendation letter!” 🌿
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- “Seabiscuit: An American Legend” by Laura Hillenbrand 📚 (Though not directly a “shoo-in,” this book about an underdog racehorse is a gripping read)
- “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein 🚗 (This book, narrated by a dog who understands auto racing, has intrigue worthy of any “shoo-in” scenario)
- “Notting Hill” 🎬 (A romantic comedy where you can’t help but root for the lead characters to end up together—definitely a type of shoo-in)
Proverbs:
- “He who is sure to win, indeed cannot.”
- “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
Until our next idiomatic adventure, keep rooting for your favorite contenders! After all, sometimes life itself is a race, and you’re a shoo-in for many victories. 🎉🐴
Keep racing through idioms!
- Lexi Scribbler
