change horses in midstream
Abandon current approach
To change horses in midstream is to switch strategies, leaders, or methods in the middle of an undertaking—when it's too late to start over smoothly.
The image is of a rider abandoning one horse for another while crossing a river, risking disaster.
Usually appears as advice against doing so: Don't change horses in midstream.
The phrase is attributed to Abraham Lincoln defending his 1864 reelection.
- divertCause to change course
- risky moveAction with uncertain outcome
- switch gearsChange course abruptly
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- leap of faithTrust without verification
jeopardy · alteration · precarious · peril · pivot · switch · hazard · strategize · reconsider · second thoughts · ill-advised · point of no return · shift · transition · instability · substitution · modification · reorganize
change horses in midstreamstay the course
Continue despite difficulties
see it through · persevere · stick with it · hold the line · follow through
change horses in midstreamkeep steady
Maintain consistent position
hold steady · consistency · don't rock the boat · constancy · steadfastness
change, changes, changed, changing, changeable, unchangeable, changer, exchange, interchange