THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Hold your horses
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Stop and think carefully before acting or deciding.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Hold your horses—we have not checked whether the tickets are refundable.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
________—we have not checked whether the tickets are refundable.
Show the answer
Hold your horses — Stop and think carefully before acting or deciding.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Hold your horses” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
Stop and think carefully before acting or deciding.
Compare: Hold your horses—we have not checked whether the tickets are refundable.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it informally to ask someone to slow down and reconsider. Cambridge labels it old-fashioned; it can sound playful or impatient.
More examples in context
- Before you announce the winner, hold your horses and check the final score.
- Hold your horses, Arun. We need everyone’s agreement before changing the date.
Usage note
It is usually a direct instruction. With a client or someone upset, a gentler phrase such as “Let us pause and check” may be more appropriate.
A short conversation
A: I will book the venue right now.
B: Hold your horses. We have not agreed on the number of guests.
A: You are right. Let us confirm that first.
One more practice question
What is someone asking you to do when they say “Hold your horses”?
A. Pause and think before rushing ahead.
B. Act as quickly as possible without checking.
Check your answer
A. The speaker wants you to slow down and consider the situation.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.