horse of another color

horse of another color

Something completely different or separate, especially in comparison to something else. I've always found math to be easy, but calculus is a horse of a another color.
See also: another, color, horse, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(a) horse of another color

 and a horse of a different color
Fig. another matter altogether. I was talking about trees, not bushes. Bushes are a horse of another color. Gambling is not the same as investing in the stock market. It's a horse of a different color.
See also: another, color, horse, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

a horse of another (or different) colour

a thing significantly different.
1975 Sam Selvon Moses Ascending Two or three is okay, but when you start bringing in a battalion, it is a horse of a different colour.
See also: another, colour, horse, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a horse of another

/a different color
Another matter entirely; something else.
See also: another, horse, of
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

horse of another/different color, a

A different affair altogether. This term was more or less invented by Shakespeare, who in Twelfth Night (2.3) wrote, “My purpose is, indeed, a horse of that colour,” meaning, my aim is indeed something like that. Eventually this was changed to difference rather than likeness, as in Anthony Trollope’s Last Chronicles of Barset (1867): “What did you think of his wife? That’s a horse of another colour altogether.”
See also: another, different, horse, of
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer

a horse of another color

An entirely different matter. In Twelfth Night, Shakespeare had a character say, “My purpose is, indeed, a horse of that colour,” meaning “the very thing.” It's not difficult to see how that phrase would be changed to “a horse of another color” to mean the opposite. Other formerly popular equine expressions are “don't change horses in midstream” (stick to your original plan); “get off your high horse” (don't be so proud or smug); “don't beat a dead horse” (don't waste your time); “one-horse town” (a tiny rural community); and “horse show” (derisive college slang term for a debutante cotillion).
See also: another, color, horse, of
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • a horse of another
  • a horse of another color
  • a horse of another colour
  • (you) wanna make something of it?
  • a fast talker
  • (you've) got to get up pretty early in the morning to (do something)
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
  • a crack at (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
A small Colorado town harbors a close-held secret about its children; but if this theme portends a Stephen King-like story, think again: Chasers is truly a horse of another color, and is a gem of a read in more ways than one.
Guitar Odyssey is a horse of another color, however, offering a rare glimpse into the efforts and frustrations of a would-be musician who had only some basic playing under his belt before attempting what turned out to be a formidable challenge: "I am going to learn the guitar solo from Deep Purple's "Highway Star," even if it kills me.
Facing Mekka is a horse of another color. The female presence is front and center, with an ensemble of six whose dancing fills the stage with strength, power, and beauty.
Add equines into the mix and you have a truly different horse of another color in Claimed, which ultimately revolves around the rescue of not only Mac, but the world she comes to cherish.
Gotcha Gas - Debacle Near Roswell is a fictional piece about a host of snafus and bungling on the part of military and individuals near Roswell - but any who anticipate another straightforward (or straight-faced) exploration of alien abduction will find Gotcha Gas is a horse of another color.
Don't expect your typical murder mystery setting or characters with Hot Minnesota Sex Death: this is a horse of another color, is set in the utopian town of Nede, and revolves around town leaders who die during a sexually challenging act, sparking the interest and investigation of son Inger, whose inquiry into his parents' death leads him on a strange path indeed.