a one-horse race

one-horse race

A competition in which one participant is superior to the others and thus more likely to win. After interviewing all of the job candidates, it's clearly a one-horse race. Nobody can beat Kim's experience and qualifications.

See also: race

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

a one-horse race

mainly BRITISH

If a contest is a one-horse race, it is obvious even before it starts that one person or team is much better than the others and will win. Marseilles are threatening to turn the French championship into a one-horse race. The election was a one-horse race really, the president winning by a massive majority.

See also: race

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

a one-horse ˈrace

a competition, etc. in which there is only one team or candidate with a chance of winning: It seems that the presidential elections are going to be a one-horse race this time. OPPOSITE: be wide open

See also: race

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017