on one's high horse, to be

be on (one's) high horse

To be adopting a haughty attitude of moral superiority. My sister was a troublemaker as a teenager, yet she's always on her high horse, lecturing me about everything. The radio host has been on his high horse all week about people sponging off the government, despite the fact that he is a known tax dodger.
See also: high, horse, on

high horse

An attitude of moral superiority. Typically used in the phrases "get off (one's) high horse" and "on (one's) high horse." My sister needs to get off her high horse and stop lecturing me because I know she was a troublemaker as a teenager! The radio host is known for always being on his high horse, despite the fact that everyone knows he's a creep.
See also: high, horse
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on one's high horse, to be

To put on airs; to behave arrogantly. As long ago as the fourteenth century, persons of high rank rode very tall horses, a custom that came to symbolize superiority and arrogance. By 1800 or so, to be or to get on one’s high horse meant to act superior, with or without justification.
See also: high, on
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • be on (one's) high horse
  • be/get on your high horse
  • on (one's) high horse
  • on high horse
  • on one’s high horse
  • on one's high horse
  • on your high horse
  • get on (one's) high horse
  • get on your high horse
  • climb on (one's) high horse