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.

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.

one-horse race

a contest in which one candidate or competitor is clearly superior to all the others and seems certain to win.
1995 Sun (Baltimore) The Rangers, who have won six of their last seven, could make it a one-horse race in a hurry.
See also: race
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

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
See also:
  • a one-horse race
  • eavesdrop
  • eavesdrop on
  • eavesdrop on (someone or something)
  • Garrison finish
  • a turkey shoot
  • give (oneself) airs
  • give yourself airs
  • give yourself/put on airs
  • put on airs, to
References in periodicals archive
He told newsmen that the whole screening process was predetermined to achieve a one-horse race which was the emergence of a fresh ticket for Governor Yahaya Bello.
Johnson is tripping over his own hooves in what started as a one-horse race. But there is more at stake here than the political fate of this shambolic chancer.
"It was a one-horse race - Andrea has never turned his oven on," he said.
Unlike when Baffert brought Justify to Pimlico a year ago looking Triple Crown-caliber, this isn't a one-horse race. Improbable and War of Will are among the legitimate contenders to become just the 19th horse all time and first since Afleet Alex in 2005 to fall short in the Derby but win the Preakness and Belmont.
But the reality is every horse can't be everywhere." It remains to be seen if Almond Eye makes it a one-horse race in the Dubai Turf.
John McGlynn admits Raith's ropey run of results has made League One a one-horse race.
1 A ONE-HORSE RACE NO MORE LAST season 11 points separated Celtic and Rangers going into the winter break.
Yesterday's much-anticipated third telco bidding, however, turned out to be a one-horse race with Dennis Uy's Udenna emerging as the lone qualified bidder.
What it will do though is give Liverpool and the other title challengers a renewed belief that the Premier League isn't a one-horse race this season.
It is far too easy to gamble these days AS a man who enjoys a flutter on the gee-gees, and who currently would struggle to find the winner of a one-horse race, I am in no way sniffy about gambling.
Once Breezell Lzp took the lead at the top of the stretch, it became a one-horse race. The six-year-old chestnut mare ridden by Karlo Lopez powered clear for a 19 1/4-length victory in the 6-furlong race in 1:20.70.
In the top division it was business as usual for Swalwell, the one-horse race continuing with a 102-run canter against Lanchester in which Chris Hewison added another 96 runs to his burgeoning portfolio.
In every position there has been a genuine pre-tournament contender for a First Test start play sufficiently poorly to turn a close-run contest into a one-horse race, or a one-horse race into a close-run contest.
It looks like a one-horse race, with Creed never entertaining the thought his opponent may win.
Billed as a match between Henderson's unbeaten chase star and Paul Nicholls' Sanctuaire, it was a one-horse race on the day with Sprinter Sacre barely coming out of second gear in winning by 15 lengths.