Expressions used in Everyday Spoken English in Social and Professional contexts
hold your horses
hold your horses
Meaning(s)
1) wait a moment, be patient
How to MemorizePopularity HighProfessional HighSocial
hold your horses, take a moment to consider what you're doing
Analysis
The idiom 'hold your horses' is an informal way of saying 'wait a minute' or to ask someone to delay. If you hold the reigns on a horse, it doesn't move forward. This phrase is usually said to someone moving or acting too quickly or without caution.
Social Examples (Basic)
Hold your horses, young man! Before you run out of the house, I want to know where you're going and what time you expect to be back at.
Hold your horses - are you saying that Jack never got my message? No wonder he is so annoyed with me!
Professional Examples (Basic)
I know that every member of the team is excited to start working on the project, but just hold your horses until all the necessary funding has been secured.
Hold your horses, Charlie! Just take a moment to think about what you're doing. I know you're angry, but if you give your boss a piece of your mind while you're in this mood then you will likely lose your job!