Meaning: This idiom is used to advise someone to be patient, wait, or stop rushing into action. It implies the need to pause, calm down, or refrain from acting impulsively until the appropriate time or circumstances arise.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “Hold your horses! Let’s think through this plan before making any decisions.”
- “Before you make a hasty decision, hold your horses and consider all the options.”
- “Hold your horses, the meeting hasn’t started yet; we need to wait for everyone to arrive.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “hold your horses” can be traced back to horse racing in the United States in the early 19th century. Jockeys were instructed to “hold their horses” before the race started, ensuring that they didn’t begin prematurely and stayed in line until the signal to start the race was given. Over time, the phrase evolved into a figurative expression used to urge patience or restraint in various situations beyond horse racing.
