stalking horse

Meanings

1. A horse used as cover by a hunter stalking game.
2. A candidate put forward to serve a hidden, ulterior purpose in a political campaign, such as testing the field for another potential candidate by gauging voter sentiment or covertly helping another candidate by attracting voters away from a third candidate.
3. A person, thing, or expedient used in a deceptive manner, to achieve some hidden purpose.
4. the first bid on a bankrupt company, which sets the low bar for further bidding