beauty contest

noun

a competition in which the entrants, usually women, are judged as to physical beauty and sometimes personality and talent, with the winners awarded prizes or titles.
Informal. any contest, election, etc., that is decided on the basis of popularity.

beauty contest

a competition in which the participants, usually women, are judged on their attractiveness, with a prize, and often a title, awarded to the winner
informal.
any contest decided on the basis of superficial attractiveness, popularity, etc
the referendum might turn into a party political beauty contest

First recorded in 1895–1900

Most politicians would be satisfied with finishing second to Rand Paul in beauty contest notoriously dominated by libertarians.

Affleck could also be a formidable adversary for Brown in the beefcake department—an actual campaign beauty contest.

Rick Santorum's impressive victory in the nonbinding Missouri "beauty contest" began an ugly night for Romney.

When she won a local beauty contest and was asked to participate in one in Moscow, he refused to let her go.

Eric Pape on a provocative beauty contest meant to boost business.

The others began chorusing their congratulations at once, looking no more convincing than the runners-up in any beauty contest.

How she wished that she had never allowed herself to be dragged into that foolish beauty contest.

She never will forgive that moon-eyed Miss Dean for putting it over her at the Beauty contest.

Well, if this is a beauty contest, I hope the judges wont be partial.

The Beauty contest was an awful damper to them, especially Miss Weyman.

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