hold the horses

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used to tell someone to stop and wait, or to slow down before acting too quickly.

   Grammar: Used as a standalone command or as part of a sentence: Hold the horses, we're not ready yet.

   Patterns

   • hold the horses
   • hold the horses on something

   Hold the horses! We haven't finished packing yet.

   I know you're excited, but hold the horses and let me explain the plan first.

   The manager told the team to hold the horses until the client gave final approval.

2. 2phrasetransitive or intransitive

   Literally, to keep horses from moving forward, especially by pulling the reins.

   Grammar: Used literally only in horse-riding or driving contexts; takes an object when you name the horses: hold the horses steady.

   Patterns

   • hold the horses
   • hold the horses steady

   The driver had to hold the horses while the gate was being opened.

   She held the horses firmly as the storm approached.

Common combinations

hold the horses for a moment

Hold the horses for a moment while I check the address.

hold the horses on something

We should hold the horses on signing the contract until we read the fine print.

tell someone to hold the horses

She told him to hold the horses and not make any rash decisions.

hold the horses until

Hold the horses until the rain stops.

Synonyms and how they differ

hold your horses

This is the more common form, especially in British English; it means the same and is used in the same situations.

wait

A general word meaning to stay until something happens; 'hold the horses' is more idiomatic and often sounds more urgent or informal.

slow down

Focuses on reducing speed or pace; 'hold the horses' emphasizes stopping or pausing before acting.

Opposites

Commonly confused: hold the horses or hold your horses?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hold the horses”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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