stalking-horse

柯林斯詞典

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(hù); 借口[表不滿]
I think the development is a stalking horse for exploitation of the surrounding countryside. 我認(rèn)為開發(fā)只是一個(gè)借口，目的是想攫取周圍農(nóng)村地區(qū)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. (政治競爭中為摸清對手實(shí)力而推出的)掩護(hù)性候選人[oft N n]
The possibility of another stalking horse challenge this autumn cannot be ruled out. 今年秋季可能會(huì)再次推出一名掩護(hù)性候選人出來挑戰(zhàn)，不排除這種可能性。