one-horse

[ wuhn-hawrs, -hohrs ]

adjective

1. using or having only a single horse:

   a one-horse carriage.

2. small and unimportant; limited:

   a one-horse town.

one-horse

adjective

1. drawn by or using one horse
2. informal.
   prenominal small or obscure

   a one-horse town

Word History and Origins

Origin of one-horse¹

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

The danger is that it also exposes Renaissance as a one-horse show, totally dependent on the president's interventions to make any kind of mark.

From BBC

Despite the widespread discontent, Egyptians have not got much choice in this election, seen by many as a one-horse race.

From BBC

A little more than a week ago, the Premier League title was being seen by many as a one-horse race.

From BBC

Unfortunately, a ruling from a one-horse federal courtroom in Texas reminds us that there’s almost an endless supply of those litigants and the judges who run with them.

From Los Angeles Times

"It feels ominous for everyone, and almost feels like a one-horse race whatever the table tells you," former England defender Rio Ferdinand told BT Sport.

From BBC