63+ Horse Idioms, Phrases & Sayings With Meanings & Examples

Take the reins and explore these horse idioms and sayings. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth — learn their meanings with examples here!

Funny horse

Idioms are phrases that have meanings different from their literal words. They help to illustrate points more vividly and can make communication more interesting and relatable. In English, idioms are used every day and they’re often influenced by animals.

One animal that has provided inspiration for a lot of idioms, phrases, and sayings is the horse.

Horse idioms and sayings add a dynamic twist to language by comparing human behavior to the strength, speed, and loyalty of horses, along with our interactions with them. For example, saying someone is “riding for a fall” means they are headed for trouble. At the same time, phrases like “hold your horses” encourage patience, and “wild horses couldn’t drag me away” show determination.

Using these horse idioms makes your speech more colorful and expressive. So, saddle up — it’s time to trot through some popular horse-related sayings and discover their meanings!

Horse Idioms and Sayings

Horses have inspired numerous idioms in the English language. Below, you’ll find 61 horse idioms listed alphabetically, complete with their meanings and example sentences. Master them all to stay in the race and become a true champion!

A Charley horse

Meaning: A painful muscle cramp, usually in the leg.
Example: After running five miles, I got a Charley horse and had to stop to stretch.

A dark horse

Meaning: A person who is not well known but unexpectedly succeeds.
Example: Nobody expected Jake to win the competition — he was a dark horse in the race.

A hobby horse

Meaning: A favorite topic or activity someone constantly talks about.
Example: Environmental issues are his hobby horse — he talks about them all the time.

A horse doctor

Meaning: A veterinarian or a doctor who prescribes strong treatments.
Example: My doctor gave me medicine so strong, I joked that he was a horse doctor.

A horse of a different color

Meaning: A completely different situation or topic.
Example: I thought we were discussing budget cuts, but this new proposal is a horse of a different color.

A horse of a different breed

Meaning: A variation of “a horse of a different color,” meaning something completely different.
Example: Fixing a car is one thing, but rebuilding an engine is a horse of a different breed.

A one-horse race

Meaning: A competition where one person or team is the clear winner.
Example: With no strong competitors, the election became a one-horse race.

A one-horse town

Meaning: A small, unimportant town with few attractions.
Example: I grew up in a one-horse town where nothing ever happened.

A warhorse

Meaning: A veteran of many battles or experiences.
Example: The old politician was a warhorse, having survived decades in office.

A wheel horse

Meaning: A hardworking, reliable person who does most of the work.
Example: Lisa is the wheel horse of the team — everything runs smoothly because of her efforts.

As strong as a horse

Meaning: Very strong and powerful.
Example: Even at 70, my grandfather is as strong as a horse.

Back the wrong horse

Meaning: To support or invest in someone or something that fails.
Example: I thought that startup would succeed, but I backed the wrong horse.

Beat a dead horse

Meaning: To waste effort on something that is no longer useful.
Example: There’s no point discussing it again — you’re just beating a dead horse.

Beat the horses

Meaning: To win convincingly or perform exceptionally well.
Example: She trained hard for the marathon and beat the horses with ease.

Beaten at the post

Meaning: To lose at the last moment.
Example: I almost won the race, but I was beaten at the post.

Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick (or a sharp horse)

Meaning: Something is better than nothing.
Example: I only got a small raise, but it’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Champ at the bit

Meaning: To be eager or impatient to start something.
Example: The players were champing at the bit to get back on the field.

Chomp at the bit

Meaning: Another version of “champ at the bit,” meaning eager or impatient to begin.
Example: He was chomping at the bit to start his new job.

Don’t change horses midstream

Meaning: Don’t change plans or leaders in the middle of a situation.
Example: We’ve come this far with our current manager; let’s not change horses midstream.

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth

Meaning: Don’t be ungrateful for a gift or favor.
Example: The free tickets weren’t the best seats, but don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

Don’t spare the horses

Meaning: Hurry up and don’t delay.
Example: We’re running late — don’t spare the horses and drive faster!

Eat like a horse

Meaning: To eat a lot of food.
Example: After the hike, I was so hungry I ate like a horse.

Enough to choke a horse

Meaning: A very large amount of something.
Example: She brought enough food to choke a horse for the picnic.

Flog a dead horse

Meaning: To waste time on something that won’t change.
Example: Talking about it again won’t help — you’re flogging a dead horse.

Free rein

Meaning: Complete freedom to do something.
Example: The boss gave me free rein to manage the project my way.

Get back in the saddle

Meaning: To start again after failure or a break.
Example: After losing his job, he quickly got back in the saddle and found a new one.

Get back on the horse

Meaning: To try again after failing.
Example: After falling off his bike, he got back on the horse and kept riding.

Get off your high horse

Meaning: Stop acting superior or arrogant.
Example: You need to get off your high horse and listen to others.

Going to see a man about a horse

Meaning: A vague excuse for leaving, often to use the restroom.
Example: Excuse me, I need to see a man about a horse.

Got the bit between the teeth

Meaning: To become determined or enthusiastic, often about a particular goal or task.
Example: Once he started the project, he really got the bit between his teeth and worked non-stop until it was finished.

Hang up your spurs

Meaning: To retire or stop doing something.
Example: After 30 years in sales, he finally hung up his spurs.

High horse

Meaning: An attitude of superiority.
Example: She needs to get off her high horse and accept criticism.

Hold the reins

Meaning: To be in control.
Example: As project manager, I hold the reins of this operation.

Hold your horses

Meaning: Be patient or wait.
Example: Hold your horses — we’re leaving in a minute.

Horse and buggy days

Meaning: A time in the past when things were simpler or outdated.
Example: That company is stuck in the horse and buggy days with their old technology.

Horse around

Meaning: To play or act foolishly.
Example: Stop horsing around and get back to work!

Horse of a different breed

Meaning: A variation of “a horse of a different color,” meaning something completely different.
Example: Fixing a car is one thing, but restoring a classic is a horse of a different breed.

Horseplay

Meaning: Rough or reckless play.
Example: No horseplay in the pool — someone could get hurt!

Horse sense

Meaning: Practical wisdom or common sense.
Example: She may not have formal education, but she’s got horse sense and knows how to handle people.

Horse trading

Meaning: Hard, sometimes shady, negotiation or bargaining.
Example: There was a lot of horse trading before they agreed on a deal.

Horses for courses

Meaning: Different people or things are suited for different situations.
Example: Some students learn visually, while others prefer reading—it’s a case of horses for courses.

I could eat a horse

Meaning: To be extremely hungry.
Example: I skipped breakfast, and now I could eat a horse!

Long in the tooth

Meaning: Getting old or past one’s prime.
Example: That actor is getting long in the tooth to play an action hero.

Look a gift horse in the mouth

Meaning: To be ungrateful for a gift or favor.
Example: The free meal wasn’t great, but don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

Play the ponies

Meaning: To bet on horse racing.
Example: He spends his weekends at the track, playing the ponies.

Put out to pasture

Meaning: To retire someone or something from active use.
Example: After 40 years in the company, they finally put him out to pasture.

Put the cart before the horse

Meaning: To do things in the wrong order.
Example: Planning the party before setting a date is putting the cart before the horse.

Put through the paces

Meaning: To test something or someone’s abilities.
Example: The new software was put through its paces before release.

Rein in

Meaning: To control or limit something.
Example: The manager had to rein in spending to stay on budget.

Ride roughshod

Meaning: To act without regard for others.
Example: The new boss rode roughshod over everyone’s opinions.

Riding for a fall

Meaning: Behaving in a way that will lead to trouble.
Example: If you keep ignoring safety rules, you’re riding for a fall.

Saddle someone with something

Meaning: To burden someone with a difficult responsibility.
Example: They saddled me with extra work while my coworker took a vacation.

salt horse

Meaning: A term for salted beef, especially in old naval slang.
Example: The sailors had nothing but salt horse and biscuits to eat for weeks.

Spur of the moment

Meaning: Done suddenly without planning.
Example: We took a road trip on the spur of the moment.

Spur someone on

Meaning: To encourage or motivate someone.
Example: His coach’s words spurred him on to finish the race.

Straight from the horse’s mouth

Meaning: Direct information from the source.
Example: I heard the news straight from the horse’s mouth — he’s quitting next week.

Take the reins

Meaning: To take control or assume responsibility for something.
Example: When the manager left, Sarah took the reins and guided the team to success.

The race is run

Meaning: The outcome of a situation is decided or it’s too late to change the result.
Example: After all the votes were counted, the race was run, and we knew who won the election.

Trojan horse

Meaning: A hidden threat disguised as something harmless.
Example: The email looked legitimate, but it was a Trojan horse carrying a virus.

Wild horses couldn’t drag me away

Meaning: Nothing could convince me to leave or change my mind.
Example: I love this city — wild horses couldn’t drag me away.

Win by a nose

Meaning: To win by a tiny margin.
Example: The candidate won by a nose in the election.

Winning your spurs

Meaning: Earning respect or recognition through achievements.
Example: She won her spurs as a top lawyer after her first big case.

Work like a horse

Meaning: To work extremely hard.
Example: He works like a horse to provide for his family.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink

Meaning: You can offer help or advice, but you can’t force someone to take it.
Example: I gave him study guides, but he refused to use them — you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

Feeling Spurred On?

Now that you’ve got the bit between your teeth and have mastered these horse idioms and sayings, you might want to check out these other idioms:

James Prior

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