frʌnt ˈrʌnər
Sports
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- the horse or runner leading in a race
What does "front runner" mean?
the person or thing most likely to win or succeed
Examples
- She is the front runner for the CEO position.
- The front runner in the polls stumbled after the debate.
- Their product became the front runner in the electric vehicle market.
Origin
From horse racing and track. Used figuratively in politics since the mid-20th century.
How to use it
Very commonly used in political and competitive contexts.
Similar expressions
favorite
leader
top contender
Opposites
underdog
long shot
dark horse
Related idioms
- no pain no gain
Success requires hard work and sacrifice
- ball is in your court
It's your turn to take action or make a decision
- like riding a bicycle
A skill that, once learned, is never forgotten
- drop the ball
To fail to do something important; to make a mistake
- level playing field
A situation where everyone has an equal opportunity
- on the ball
Alert and competent
Use it in a practice answer
Try "front runner" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.