shoo-in: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal
Quick answer
What does “shoo-in” mean?
A person or thing certain to win or succeed, especially in a competition or election.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing certain to win or succeed, especially in a competition or election.
An outcome or result that is considered inevitable due to overwhelming advantage or lack of competition; can also refer to a candidate who is certain to get a position, often due to insider influence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated and is most common in American English. British English uses it but may be slightly less familiar; synonyms like 'dead cert' or 'certainty' are more native to UK usage.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can carry a hint of skepticism about the fairness of the process, but this is not always present.
Frequency
High frequency in American English, medium-low in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “shoo-in” in a Sentence
[BE/SEEM/LOOK] a shoo-in[BE] a shoo-in for [POSITION/PRIZE][BE] considered a shoo-inVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shoo-in” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A - not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A - typically a noun phrase, not a standalone adjective.
American English
- N/A - typically a noun phrase, not a standalone adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"After her stellar performance last quarter, she's a shoo-in for the promotion."
Academic
"The theory was a shoo-in for the most influential paper of the decade."
Everyday
"With that lead, our team is a shoo-in to win the championship."
Technical
Rarely used in highly technical contexts; more common in commentary or prediction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shoo-in”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shoo-in”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shoo-in”
- Misspelling as 'shoe-in'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They will shoo-in the candidate' is incorrect).
- Using it for objects/ideas that are not in a competitive context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is only used as a noun phrase (e.g., 'He is a shoo-in'). The verb 'to shoo' is separate.
It originated in early 20th-century American horse racing, referring to a race fixed so that a specific horse could be 'shooed in' (easily urged) to win.
The correct spelling is 'shoo-in', deriving from the verb 'to shoo'. 'Shoe-in' is a common phonetic misspelling.
Not always. While its origin suggests fixing, modern usage often means simply 'a certain winner', though a hint of lack of real competition may remain.
A person or thing certain to win or succeed, especially in a competition or election.
Shoo-in is usually informal in register.
Shoo-in: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃuː ɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃu ˌɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a done deal”
- “in the bag”
- “a foregone conclusion”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a race where one runner is so far ahead you could just **shoo** them **in** to the finish line effortlessly.
Conceptual Metaphor
WINNING IS A FOREGONE CONCLUSION (a path with no obstacles).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'shoo-in' CORRECTLY?