stalking-horse

柯林斯词典

1. N-COUNT If you describe a person or thing as a stalking horse, you mean that it is being used to obtain a temporary advantage so that someone can get what they really want. 掩護; 借口[表不滿]
I think the development is a stalking horse for exploitation of the surrounding countryside. 我認爲開發衹是一個借口，目的是想攫取周圍辳村地區的資源。
2. N-COUNT In politics, a stalking horse is someone who runs against a leader in order to see how strong the opposition is. The stalking horse then withdraws in favour of a stronger challenger. (政治競爭中爲摸清對手實力而推出的)掩護性候選人[oft N n]
The possibility of another stalking horse challenge this autumn cannot be ruled out. 今年鞦季可能會再次推出一名掩護性候選人出來挑戰，不排除這種可能性。