If you describe a person or thing as a Trojan horse, you mean that they are being used to hide someone's true purpose or intentions.
[disapproval]
They claim he is a Trojan horse being used by the party bosses attempting to stealthe nomination.
Both factions accused each other of using the organization as a Trojan horse to advancetheir causes.
[Also + for/of]
2. countable noun
A Trojan horse the same as a trojan.
[computing]
The fake text message cons users into downloading a Trojan horse that will take overtheir phone.
Trojan Horse in British English
noun
1. Also called: the Wooden Horse Greek mythology
the huge wooden hollow figure of a horse left outside Troy by the Greeks when they feigned retreat and dragged inside by the Trojans. The men concealed inside it opened the city to the final Greek assault
2.
a trap intended to undermine an enemy
3. computing
a bug inserted into a program or system designed to be activated after a certain time or a certain number of operations
Trojan horse in American English
1. Greek Legend
in the Trojan War, a huge, hollow wooden horse with Greek soldiers hidden inside that is left at the gates of Troy: the Trojans bring it into the city, thinking it a gift, and the soldiers creep out and open the gates to the rest of the Greek army, which destroys the city
2.
any person, group, or thing that seeks to subvert a nation, organization, etc. from within
3.
a computer program run or downloaded to carry out a legitimate function, that also contains hidden instructions for an unauthorized, disruptive operation