A “shoo-in” is a person or thing that is almost certain to win or succeed. If something is a shoo-in, it’s so likely to happen that you could “shoo” it in with no effort.
People use it in everyday chat when they’re talking about contests, jobs, elections—anything with an outcome. “She’s been the top salesperson for three years straight; she’s a shoo-in for the promotion.” Or “That movie has five-star reviews everywhere—it’s a shoo-in for the award.”
Meaning & Usage Examples
• “The defending champions are a shoo-in to reach the finals.”
• “With his perfect grades and interview, Jake is a shoo-in for the scholarship.”
Common Context
You’ll hear it in sports talk, office gossip, and award-season buzz—anytime someone wants to say, “It’s basically locked in.”
Is “shoo-in” spelled with a hyphen?
Yes. The standard spelling is “shoo-in,” always with a hyphen.
Can “shoo-in” ever mean an actual push or shove?
No. It’s only a figurative expression for a sure winner, not a physical action.
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