front runner

front runner

The person or thing most likely to be awarded something. I hear that movie is the front runner for the Best Picture Oscar. Amanda's the front runner for the position—she's overqualified, honestly, and has a great attitude.
See also: front, runner
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

front-runner

the person or thing thought most likely to win or succeed. The press found out some juicy secrets about the front-runner and made them all public. Who is the front-runner in the race to be governor?
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

front runner

n. the leader; the person or thing most likely to win. The press found out some juicy secrets about the front runner and made them all public.
See also: front, runner
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

front runner

Someone who is expected to win. The term comes from horse racing and began to be used figuratively in the first half of the 1900s. Its most prominent context is political, referring to a candidate who leads his or her opponents in an election, but it also occurs in other kinds of contest. Thus Wilbur Smith used it in Gold Mine (1970): “He had joined C.R.C. a mere twelve years previously and now he was the front runner.”
See also: front, runner
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • front-runner
  • see beyond
  • see beyond (someone or something)
  • in front
  • out front
  • front office
  • the front office
  • can't see (one's) hand in front of (one's) face
  • can't see hand in front of face
  • in front of (one's) very eyes
References in periodicals archive
20 ( ANI ): Oscar-nominated actor Hugh Jackman has finally unveiled the first look of his upcoming film 'The Front Runner'.
Hugh Jackman unveils first look as Gary Hart in 'The Frontrunner'
"Front Runner will carry other sports-related content including some edited RPGTV footage taken from our popular kennel visit features."
RPGTV to get new home from next week
As a front runner, nobody expected Toscano to be eliminated.
Pia Toscano: a[euro]oeAmerican Idola[euro](tm)sa[euro] shocking elimination
FRONT RUNNER: Ben Tansey, the newly-appointed director of Northwoods
If you go down to woods -for fuel..
He might have gone into the competition as the favourite, but It is fair to say Joe Calzaghe is no longer considered the front runner on Strictly Come Dancing.
Amir Khan on Joe Calzaghe in Strictly Come Dancing
Secure community sponsorship at the highest levels: The social media team at Front Runner knew early on that it needed to have all relevant stakeholders involved in the community launch, and sponsorship from the CEO or one of the CEO's direct reports.
The final steps are just the beginning: a successful social media initiative merely opens up future possibilities
Yasmina Siadatan FRONT runner among girls with good business head.
THE APPRENTICE
Two-time Masters champion Olazabal and Montgomerie are the clear front runners with Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam outside contenders.
Golf: Monty is mum on 2010 role
Norwegian energy and materials group Norsk Hydro ASA (NYSE: NHY) said on Monday (29 January) that it will write down the value of its Front Runner field in the Gulf of Mexico by USD462m after tax.
Norsk Hydro ASA writes down in the Gulf of Mexico
"Andy is the front runner, there is no doubt about that," said Spice.
RUGBY UNION: One hand on the job, Andy
GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P., a 36 percent owner and operator of Poseidon Oil Pipeline Company, L.L.C., executed an agreement to transport crude from the Front Runner field, which is located in 3,500 feet of water in Green Canyon Blocks 338 and 339 in the central Gulf of Mexico, 135 miles southeast of Houma, LA.
Gulf Terra finalizes plans for Gulf of Mexico pipeline
Mayor-elect Michael Bloomberg will likely have a say in this decision, but odds are strong that Giuliani-who endorsed Bloomberg in his bid for mayor-will be a front runner for the post.
New city-state agency to lead downtown rebuilding efforts
The United Nations has emerged as the front runner for winning the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize, according to media speculation in Norway, home of the prestigious accolade.
U.N. favorite for Nobel Peace Prize: Norwegian journalist
The author of The Front Runner jumps into the bullring with her new novel, along that familiar white-hot gay passion
The Wild Man
of El Dorado says initial results from the exploratory well testing its deepwater "Front Runner" prospect in Green Canyon Block 338 put reserves at or over the pre-drill estimate of 80 to 120 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Murphy Oil Corp