Hold Your Horses – Idiom of the Day

Hold Your Horses – Idiom of the Day

Meaning:

A way of telling somebody to slow down or stop

History:

There have been a variety of sources documenting the use of this phrase. However, the literal meaning comes from the 1600s. At that time, when somebody used to break a law, they would get trampled with horses. The incharge would first say “Hold Your Horses’ ‘ and then would tie the lawbreaker with a wooden piece and lay them on the ground. After this, horses would trample the person. The current meaning of the idiom came into existence back in the 19th century in the USA. Back then, it used to be written as ‘hold your hosses’ as hoss was used as a US slang for horses. This idiom appeared in print many times from 1843 and onwards.

Synonyms:

• Take it easy
• Sit tight
• Get off your high horse
• Give it a break
• Slow down a bit
• Take a break
• Slow your roll
• Hang in there
• There is no hurry
• Hold it up

Examples:

Go through the examples to understand the usage of the idiom:

1. Hold your horses, the result is not out yet.
2. Hold your horses and let’s have a discussion on this topic first before arriving at a conclusion. 3. Hold your horses till we complete this task.
3. Why are you so excited, hold your horses, will you?
4. Please hold your horses. There are already two people in the queue in front of you.
5. Just hold your horses until everything is official. Don’t announce anything yet.

Also check : Idiom of the day