Pronunciation: [ʃˈuː ˈɪn] (IPA) 
The phrase "shoo in" is often used to describe someone who is sure to win a contest or election. The spelling of "shoo in" is actually a shortening of the phrase "shoo-in candidate". In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be written as /ʃu ɪn/. The "sh" sound is represented by the "sh" digraph, while the "oo" sound is represented by the "oo" digraph. The final "in" sound is spelled using the letter "i" followed by the letter "n".
A "shoo-in" is a phrase used to describe a person or thing that is considered to be a guaranteed winner or certain to succeed in a particular situation. The term is often used in informal contexts, particularly in discussions related to sports, elections, or competitions.
Derived from the earlier phrase "shoot-in," which referred to a horse racing term for a prearranged race fixed for a particular horse to win, the term "shoo-in" entered common usage in the early 20th century. It is commonly believed to have originated from the action of using a gentle shooing or urging motion to guide animals or birds toward a particular direction.
The term "shoo-in" implies that the outcome is so predictable that it requires no further consideration or debate. It suggests that the winner's victory is virtually assured due to their superior skill, reputation, or overwhelming support. A shoo-in candidate, for instance, would be one with no serious competition, making their election victory almost certain.
However, it is important to note that while the term "shoo-in" conveys a sense of inevitability, it does not guarantee success. Unforeseen circumstances, unexpected turns of events, or exceptional performances by competitors can sometimes overturn the predicted outcome. Therefore, the term remains subjective and should be used cautiously, leaving room for unforeseen changes or developments.
The term "shoo-in" is believed to have originated from horse racing in the late 19th century. It is derived from the word "shoo", which is an exclamation used to make something or someone move away. In the context of horse racing, a jockey or trainer would supposedly use the term to urge or "shoo" their horse toward the finish line with ease. Over time, the term evolved to describe a winning horse that had such a significant lead at the end of a race that their victory was considered certain. From there, the term eventually extended beyond horse racing and came to be used in a broader sense to describe any person or thing that is expected to win or succeed easily.
