Stalking-horse

Stalk´ing-horse` Pronunciation: stạk´ĭng-hôrs`

n.	1.	A horse, or a figure resembling a horse, behind which a hunter conceals himself from the game he is aiming to kill.
	2.	Something used to cover up a secret project; a mask; a pretense. Hypocrisy is the devil's stalking-horse under an affectation of simplicity and religion. - L'Estrange. How much more abominable is it to make of him [Christ] and religion a stalking-horse, to get and enjoy the world! - Bunyan.

Noun	1.	stalking-horse - a candidate put forward to divide the opposition or to mask the true candidate
	2.	stalking-horse - something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason Synonyms: pretext
	3.	stalking-horse - screen consisting of a figure of a horse behind which a hunter hides while stalking game
	4.	stalking-horse - a horse behind which a hunter hides while stalking game