you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink
proverb You can give someone an advantage or provide them with an opportunity, but you can't force them to do something if they don't want to. A: "I just don't understand. We've given him the very best education and introduced him to the right people, but he just won't pursue a meaningful career." B: "Well, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."
See also: but, can, drink, horse, lead, make
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
Even favorable circumstances won't force one to do something one doesn't want to, as in We've gotten all the college catalogs but he still hasn't applied-you can lead a horse to water . This metaphoric term dates from the 12th century and was in John Heywood's proverb collection of 1546. It is so well known that it is often shortened, as in the example.
See also: but, can, drink, horse, lead, make, water
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- teach a man to fish
- better bend than break
- it takes a village
- village
- best-laid plans go astray, the
- the best-laid plans
- the best-laid plans go astray
- the best-laid plans of mice and men
- a little knowledge is a dangerous thing
- a little learning is a dangerous thing