How literal is this phrase?

Sample examples at http://tinyurl.com/is-it-lit

front runner:

Definitions:

  1. # The most likely winners in a contest, election, etc.

Examples:

  1. . On 11 October 2005 the first round of presidential elections were held . The front runner George Weah led the field with 28 % followed by former World Bank official Ellen
  2. an unsettled run of results and although they were never likely to be amongst the front runners this season it is something of a shock to see them hovering just above the
  3. confirm the identity of the buyer , but Kruidvat appears to have emerged as the front runner . Top of the page Call on Lords to scrap clause 67 The Association of
  4. heading " Apathy Rules " . According to the paper , there are two " front runners " - Apu Bagchi and Charles Rose . The Times & Citizen has no fewer
  5. stuff both times . But the thrills and spills were n't just confined to the front runners - Eugene Heary had a massive off at the hairpin . " It was totally

Note: Please select the answers below carefully based on the definition which occurs frequently in the examples

Step 3: score of 0-5 for how literal is the phrase "front runner"
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