Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A sure winner.
  • noun One that has a sure chance of being chosen, as for a job or other position.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun horse racing The winner of a fixed race, a fixed race.
  • noun idiomatic, US A candidate or contestant generally agreed upon as the presumptive winner; somebody who is well-liked or widely agreed upon.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun an easy victory

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • The racetrack term shoo-in, meaning “certain winner,” is rooted in a fraudulent practice of corrupt jockeys: They agree to bet on one long shot, holding back their own mounts, and chase in or shoo in the horse they picked to win.

    No Uncertain Terms William Safire 2003

  • The racetrack term shoo-in, meaning “certain winner,” is rooted in a fraudulent practice of corrupt jockeys: They agree to bet on one long shot, holding back their own mounts, and chase in or shoo in the horse they picked to win.

    No Uncertain Terms William Safire 2003

  • The racetrack term shoo-in, meaning “certain winner,” is rooted in a fraudulent practice of corrupt jockeys: They agree to bet on one long shot, holding back their own mounts, and chase in or shoo in the horse they picked to win.

    No Uncertain Terms William Safire 2003

  • The racetrack term shoo-in, meaning “certain winner,” is rooted in a fraudulent practice of corrupt jockeys: They agree to bet on one long shot, holding back their own mounts, and chase in or shoo in the horse they picked to win.

    No Uncertain Terms William Safire 2003

  • If there were a "most improved" style award, Amaro would be the shoo-in.

    The X Factor: We’ve Reached a Final 12! 2011

  • If CBS decides to expand to four comedies on Thursday, it's a shoo-in to return.

    The Biz: Will These Shows Sink or Swim? 2012

  • The former congressman is a shoo-in for Senate approval, but Washington insiders expect the hearing may offer new clues about plans to rein in federal spending.

    Defense Nominee Is Budget Warrior Nathan Hodge 2011

  • And let's face is — she's also a shoo-in to be in the finals.

    The X Factor: We’ve Reached a Final 12! 2011

  • First this week the movie failed to win a nomination for an Academy Award in the documentary feature category, even though it was considered to be a shoo-in.

    Film critic Ebert rescinds positive ‘Superman’ review Valerie Strauss 2011

  • Had Van der Vaart been given the ball, he was surely a shoo-in to score.

    Tottenham Hotspur v FC Twente – as it happened Scott Murray 2010

Comments

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  • This phrase goes back to 1940's horse racing slang. (quick google search)

    January 16, 2015