Hold your horses

usgb
phrase

To ask someone to stop or slow down, because they are doing something too quickly or too early.

Hold your horses, we haven’t won yet so don’t start celebrating!
Visual representation of "hold your horses" - To ask someone to stop or slow down, because they are doing something too quickly or too early

Often appears as...

  • just hold your horses
  • hold your horses there

Usage tips

Informal

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "hold your horses"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Impatience Alert

Use 'hold your horses' to caution someone who's acting rashly or impatiently.

Illustration for Impatience Alert
Hold your horses, we need to think this through before deciding.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Informal Tone

It's a casual phrase, suitable for everyday conversation, not formal situations.

Illustration for Informal Tone
Hold your horses, Jack, the movie hasn't started yet.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Friendly Caution

The phrase can be a friendly way to tell someone to wait, without causing offence.

Illustration for Friendly Caution
Hold your horses! Your coffee will be ready in a minute.
Visual representation of the word "Hold your horses"

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