hitch one's wagon to a star
hitch (one's) wagon to a star
To pursue grand or lofty goals for oneself, often by partnering with someone or something that is already successful or revered. You can do anything you want, so why not hitch your wagon to a star? When I was trying to become a screenwriter, I hitched my wagon to a star by befriending some popular actresses.
See also: hitch, star, wagon
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
hitch one's wagon to a star
Aim high, as in Bill's hitching his wagon to a star-he plans to be a partner by age thirty. This metaphoric expression was invented by essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1870.
See also: hitch, star, wagon
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
hitch one's wagon to a star, to
To aim high. This metaphor was coined by Ralph Waldo Emerson, who in 1870 wrote, “Hitch your wagon to a star. Let us not fag in paltry works which serve our pot and bag alone” (Society and Solitude: Civilization). Ogden Nash played on this cliché in his poem “Kindly Unhitch That Star” (1940).
See also: hitch, wagon
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- hitch (one's) wagon to a star
- Hitch your wagon to a star
- leave (someone, something, or oneself) (wide) open for (something)
- leave oneself wide open for
- leave open
- leave yourself wide open to something
- leave (someone, something, or oneself) (wide) open to (something)
- reproach (someone or something) with (something)
- reproach with
- keep sight of