hold your horses

hold your horses

Meaning

• to wait
• to be patient
• to hold on
• used for telling someone who is getting ahead of themselves to stop and consider their action or decision

Example Sentences

1. Hold your horses! We have not won yet, so don't start celebrating.
2. Hold your horses, will you! Let's have a discussion on this first before we jump to conclusions.
3. We haven't quite finished yet. Hold your horses till we complete this last bit.
4. Hold your horses! I never said I would be part of your plan.
5. Just hold your horses till we have an official communication, then you can let the news out.
6. We are getting late to go to the ceremony and mom is still yelling, “Hold your horses!“.
7. Please hold your horses. Three people are already in the queue before you.

Origin

This phrase originated in the USA during the 1800s. It was originally written as “hold your hosses” in keeping with the American slang term “hoss” for a horse. The current form came in 1939.