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General

hold your horses

What does hold your horses mean?

An urging to be patient or not act rashly.

"Hold your horses, we'll get there when we get there."

Origin

American idiom, 1800s; literally to rein in horses before charging ahead.

Frequently asked questions

What does "hold your horses" mean?
It's a way of telling someone to wait, slow down, and be patient.
How do you use "hold your horses"?
Use it to urge patience, as in "Hold your horses, we'll get there when we get there."
Where does "hold your horses" come from?
It's an American idiom from the 1800s, literally meaning to rein in horses before charging ahead.
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.