Knowing horse idioms and sayings can be beneficial in several ways. For one, it can help you to better understand and appreciate the sport of horse racing. These idioms and sayings are often used to describe different aspects of the race. These include the speed and strategy of the horses, the strength of their finishes, and the competitiveness of the field. We prepared a detailed list of horse sayings & idioms to put a smile on your face.
30 Most Common Horse Idioms and Their Meaning
- “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” – This means that you should not criticize or question something that is given to you freely.
- “Get off your high horse” – This means to stop acting superior or arrogant.
- “Horse of a different color” – This means something that is entirely different from what was previously discussed or considered.
- “Horse’s mouth” – This means the original source or the most reliable source of information.
- “Horsepower” – This refers to the power or strength of a horse, and is often used to describe the power of an engine or machine.
- “In the same stable” – This means that two people or groups are allied or have a common interest.
- “Old horse” – This means someone who is experienced or has been doing something for a long time.
- “Work like a horse” – This means to work very hard or laboriously.
- “On the back of a horse” – This means to be physically riding on a horse.
- “Horse around” – This means to playfully roughhouse or engage in horseplay.
- “Horse-trading” – This means negotiating or bargaining, often in a cunning or shrewd manner.
- “He’s got a good (strong) horse sense” – This means common sense or practicality.
- “Dark horse” – This means someone who is not well-known but has the potential to be successful.
- “Horse’s neck” – This means a tall drink made with ginger ale and a shot of whiskey.
- “Horse’s ass” – This is a vulgar term used to describe someone who is foolish or obstinate.
- “Horseplay” – This means rough or boisterous play, often involving physical contact.
- “Horsefeathers” – This is a slang term used to express disbelief or disagreement.
- “Horse’s mouth” – This means the original source or the most reliable source of information.
- “Horse-and-buggy” – This refers to something that is outdated or old-fashioned.
- “Horse collar” – This is a type of collar used to control a horse. It is often used in the phrase “illegal horse collar tackle” to describe a type of tackle in American football where the player grabs the back or side of an opponent’s shoulder pads and pulls them down.
- “Horse trader” – This means someone who is skilled at negotiating or bargaining, often in a cunning or shrewd manner.
- “Horse whisperer” – This refers to a person who has a special ability to communicate with and understand horses.
- “To beat a dead horse” – This means wasting time by doing something that someone else has already done.
- “Wild horses wouldn’t drag me away” – This means nothing could make you change your mind.
- “One horse town” – This means a very small town.
- “Trojan horse” – This refers to someone or something intended to secretly destroy.
- “A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse” – This means there’s no sense in explaining to someone who already knows it.
- “Hold your horses!” (Originated from “Contain thy horses!”) – This means to slow down.
- “Stalking Horse” – This refers to someone who is used to conceal another’s real intentions.
- “Eat like a horse” – This means to eat a lot.
20 Funny Horse Sayings
- “I used to be a racehorse, but now I’m just a nag”
- “Why did the horse go to the psychiatrist? Because it was a little horse-o-pathic”
- “I tried to teach my horse to do math, but he kept coming up with equine-alities”
- “I bought a horse from a marketing expert, he said it was a real steal. It turned out to be a salesman pony”
- “I wanted to get a horse, but my wife said we couldn’t afford it. So I got a cheaper one, a zorse”
- “I saw a horse running down the street with a briefcase, I asked him where he was going and he said ‘I’m late for a meeting'”
- “My horse was feeling a little under the weather, so I gave him some horse-pitality”
- “I told my horse to stop horsing around, but he just whinnied in response”
- “I asked my horse if he was feeling stressed, he said ‘neigh'”
- “I tried to teach my horse to do stand-up comedy, but he kept telling knock-knock jokes”
- “Why was the horse cold? Because it left its horseshoe open”
- “I told my horse to start practicing social distancing, but he just whinnied and trotted away”
- “Why did the horse go to therapy? Because he had a lot of weight to neigh-bour”
- “I tried to teach my horse to play the drums, but he just kept horse-tapping”
- “I asked my horse if he wanted to go for a ride, he said ‘neigh way'”
- “I tried to teach my horse to play golf, but he kept horsing around on the course”
- “I asked my horse if he was feeling depressed, he said ‘neigh-ver'”
- “Why was the horse embarrassed? Because it saw the horse-chestnut tree”
- “I asked my horse if he was feeling anxious, he said ‘neigh-vous'”
- “I tried to teach my horse to do magic tricks, but he just kept pulling carrots out of his hat”
20 Horse Racing Idioms and Their Meaning
- “To be in the running” – This means to have a chance of winning or being successful.
- “To be left at the starting gate” – This means to be left behind or not included in something.
- “To be neck and neck” – This means to be tied or evenly matched.
- “To take the lead” – This means to be in the position of being the leader or frontrunner.
- “To be a dark horse” – This means to be an unexpected or unknown contender.
- “To be out of the running” – This means to no longer have a chance of winning or being successful.
- “To pull ahead” – This means to gain an advantage or lead over others.
- “To be lapped” – This means to be passed by another competitor.
- “To be a long shot” – This means to have a low chance of winning.
- “To be in the gate” – This means to be ready to start a race.
- “To cross the finish line” – This means to complete a race.
- “To be a fast horse” – This means to be a strong or skilled competitor.
- “To be a slow horse” – This means to be a weak or unskilled competitor.
- “To be a thoroughbred” – This means to be a purebred horse, often used to describe someone or something of high quality or pedigree.
- “To be a wild card” – This means to be an unpredictable or unknown factor.
- “To be a front-runner” – This means to be the leading or most likely to win.
- “To be a back-marker” – This means to be far behind in a race.
- “To be a stablemate” – This means to be a horse that belongs to the same owner or trainer as another horse.
- “To be a jockey” – This means to be a person who rides horses in races.
- “To be a handicap race” – This means to be a race where the horses are given weight allowances to equalize their chances of winning.
20 Horse Race Sayings
- “It’s a horse race, anything can happen!”
- “The race is not always to the swift.”
- “It’s neck and neck at the finish line!”
- “She’s coming up fast on the outside!”
- “He’s making a late charge down the stretch!”
- “He’s running like a thoroughbred!”
- “It’s a two-horse race to the finish!”
- “She’s out of the gate like a shot!”
- “He’s making a move on the rail!”
- “He’s leading the pack by a nose!”
- “She’s in front by a length!”
- “He’s closing the gap on the leader!”
- “It’s a wire-to-wire victory!”
- “He’s making a comeback from behind!”
- “She’s surging ahead with a strong kick!”
- “He’s going for the upset win!”
- “She’s holding on to the lead by a thread!”
- “He’s making a brave run at the front!”
- “She’s dominating the field!”
- “He’s leaving the competition in the dust!”
Conclusion
Being familiar with English idioms and sayings referring to horses can add depth and context to your understanding of equine sports. Enjoy the funny horse sayings mentioned above and share them with your friends.