In this post, we explore 20 horse-related idioms that are commonly used in the English language. These phrases add color and imagery to our daily conversations.
1. Straight from the horse’s mouth
Meaning: Directly from the original source.
Example: I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth.
2. Hold your horses
Meaning: Wait a moment; be patient.
Example: Hold your horses, I’ll be there soon.
3. Beat a dead horse
Meaning: Waste effort on something futile.
Example: Stop beating a dead horse; it’s over.
4. Change horses in midstream
Meaning: Alter plans abruptly while active.
Example: Don’t change horses in midstream during projects.
5. Eat like a horse
Meaning: To eat a large amount of food.
Example: He’s skinny but eats like a horse.
6. Dark horse
Meaning: A less-known, unexpectedly successful person.
Example: She was the dark horse of the contest.
7. Back the wrong horse
Meaning: Support a losing side or person.
Example: He backed the wrong horse with his vote.
8. Horse around
Meaning: To play or fool around.
Example: The kids were just horsing around outside.
9. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink
Meaning: You can’t force someone to act.
Example: I gave him advice, but you know the saying.
10. Charley horse
Meaning: A sudden muscle spasm or cramp.
Example: I got a Charley horse during my run.
11. Put the cart before the horse
Meaning: To do things in the wrong order.
Example: He’s putting the cart before the horse again.
12. Horse of a different color
Meaning: A completely different matter or issue.
Example: That’s a horse of a different color entirely.
13. Look a gift horse in the mouth
Meaning: Be critical of a present or gift.
Example: Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
14. Horseplay
Meaning: Rough or boisterous play.
Example: No horseplay in the classroom, please.
15. Wild horses couldn’t drag me away
Meaning: Nothing could stop me from doing it.
Example: Wild horses couldn’t drag me away from this.
16. Ride off on a high horse
Meaning: Leave arrogantly or proudly.
Example: He rode off on a high horse after the argument.
17. Horse sense
Meaning: Solid, practical judgment.
Example: Use your horse sense to solve this.
18. Get off your high horse
Meaning: Stop acting superior to others.
Example: She finally got off her high horse.
19. Stable the horses
Meaning: To take precautions; prepare.
Example: We should stable the horses before the storm.
20. Iron horse
Meaning: Refers to a train.
Example: The iron horse changed the West forever.
Related:Â 20 Birds Idioms in English
