horse
A big animal with four legs that people ride or use to carry things.
A large, strong, domesticated mammal with hooves, used for riding, racing, and carrying or pulling loads.
A piece of gym equipment with a flat top used for jumping over or doing tricks.
A padded apparatus used in gymnastics for vaulting or pommel exercises.
To play in a rough and silly way by pushing or holding someone.
To engage in rough, playful physical activity, often without serious intent.
- Base: horse
- Plural: horse, horses
- Base: horse
- 3rd Person Singular: horses
- Present Participle: horsing
- Past: horsed
a dark horse
1Unexpected winner or success
A person who does well even though people did not expect them to.
- He was a dark horse in the competition and ended up winning first place.
- Nobody knew much about her, but she turned out to be a dark horse in politics.
back the wrong horse
1Support likely failure
To choose or support someone who will not win or do well.
- We backed the wrong horse when we invested in that company.
- He backed the wrong horse by supporting the losing candidate.
hold your horses
1Wait and be patient
Wait and don't do anything too fast.
- Hold your horses! We haven't finished packing yet.
- I know you're excited, but hold your horses until we get more information.
horse around
1Play roughly or act silly
To play in a rough and silly way.
- Stop horsing around and finish your work.
- The children were horsing around in the living room.
straight from the horse's mouth
1Directly from original source
Information that comes from the person who knows most about it.
- I heard it straight from the horse's mouth—she's getting promoted.
- If you want to know the truth, ask him. Get it straight from the horse's mouth.