Are you aware that there are many proverbs and idiomatic expressions that include the word ‘horse’? This time, instead of usual topics, we want to explore horses through these sayings and idioms.
Understanding the meanings of these phrases allows you to imagine the horse’s image and find the fun in learning. It’s also a great chance to correct any misconceptions and understand words correctly that you might have misunderstood before. Let’s learn about horses from different angles.
The Blessing and Curse of Life: ‘Man’s Fortune Is a Rider on a Horse’
This means that in life, it’s unpredictable whether good or bad things will happen. Not every moment is filled with happiness, and sometimes unfortunate events occur. However, sometimes bad luck turns into good fortune, and vice versa. This proverb teaches us not to be overly emotional or quick to despair or rejoice, as misfortune does not last forever.
Speedy Gains: ‘Living Horse’s Eyes’
It can have a positive meaning of “quickly gaining profit” or “being shrewd,” and a negative meaning of “not hesitating to use any means to gain advantage” or “being alert and watchful.” The expression depicts the swift movement associated with a fast horse, emphasizing speed.
Angel of the Horse: ‘Rejoicing in the Buddha’s Legs’
This means that showing reverence or devotion to a horse is futile because horses cannot understand such things. Similarly, some people do not listen to advice or important talks, implying that without willingness to listen and understand, words are meaningless. Be cautious as this phrase can be considered rude when used toward superiors.
Try Riding a Horse and Befriend a Person
Whether a horse is good or bad can only be judged by trying it directly, and one’s true personality and compatibility with others become clear only after getting to know them. The phrase emphasizes experiencing things firsthand before making judgments.
An Elderly Horse Never Forgets the Path
This suggests that experienced individuals can make correct judgments because they have accumulated much knowledge. The phrase compares experienced people to old horses that never forget their paths, highlighting the importance of experience.
Getting on Someone Else’s Horse
This means blindly following others’ opinions or acting rashly without thinking. It can also depict the act of imitating others and getting carried away.
Friendship from Childhood: Bamboo Horse Friend
Refers to childhood friends who played and grew up together, especially those with whom you shared adventures like riding bamboo horses in your youth. It signifies close lifelong friendship.
Rich Horses in the High Autumn Sky
Describes the season of autumn, when the sky is high and clear and the weather is comfortable. It also symbolizes the season of harvest, when horses gain weight and grow robust due to increased appetite and abundant food, representing prosperity.
White Horse Is Not a Horse
This phrase implies forcing an argument where none exists. Although it seems to categorize a white horse by color, it actually points out that a white horse is conceptually different from a horse, highlighting unnecessary reasoning.
Horses’ Legs Revealing
Originally depicting a performer’s horse showing its legs during a performance, it now signifies revealing one’s true intentions or weaknesses, exposing what was hidden.
Shoot the Horse First If You Mean to Kill the Man
This means that to achieve a big goal, it is often more effective to deal with the surrounding issues first rather than aiming directly at the main objective from the start.
Appearance Isn’t Everything: Dress Up a Jockey
This phrase states that anyone can look respectable when dressed properly. The term refers to a lowly person who carries loads on a horse (jockey), not the horse itself. Be careful not to misuse or offend by misinterpreting this phrase.
Ryume’s Stumble
This indicates that even the most capable or talented people can sometimes fail. The phrase references a fast horse (“ryume”) that, despite its high speed, can stumble, symbolizing that nobody is perfect.
Old Horse’s Wisdom
This expresses that older persons with much experience have wisdom and knowledge, and should be listened to humbly, recognizing the value of their judgment.
Heavenly Horse Races Through the Sky
This means acting freely and independently, like a horse soaring across the sky — a symbol of boundless imagination and actions. The “heavenly horse” depicts a divine steed in myth.
Getting Along with Horses
This means to get along well, be in harmony, or have mutual understanding, derived from the close relationship between a horse and its rider.
Judging by the Coat, Not the Horse
This phrase implies judging superficial qualities only, like judging a horse by its coat, without assessing its true merit or abilities.
Thousands of Troops and Horses
Refers to a wealth of experience and ability in social or military contexts, depicting a vast army and numerous horses, symbolizing ample experience in warfare or leadership.
Dog and Horse’s Service
This phrase means serving or working diligently for a superior or someone older, derived from the work of dogs and horses for their owners.
Wind in the Horse’s Ears
This idiom describes ignoring advice or criticisms, just like the wind cannot be felt when it hits a horse’s ears, implying indifference towards others’ input.