hold one's horses
Pause before proceeding
Hold one's horses means to slow down, wait, or be patient—usually said to someone acting too hastily or getting ahead of themselves.
The expression evokes reining in eager horses before they bolt: Hold your horses, we haven't finished checking the numbers yet.
Often shortened to hold on in casual speech.
- rein inLimit or control
- pump the brakesUrge caution or restraint
- waitDelay until later
- not so fastUrging someone to pause
- think twiceDeliberate before acting
halt · pause · sit tight · bridle · hang tight · whoa · slow down · slow your roll · steady · keep calm · cool your jets · calm · saddle up · patience · harness · bit · ride out the storm · hit the trail
hold one's horseshurry up
Command to accelerate
get a move on · step on it · chop-chop · shake a leg · move it
hold one's horsesact now
Urgent call to proceed
jump in · damn the torpedoes · throw caution to the wind · go for it · seize the moment
hold, holds, holding, holder, holders, holdings, holdout, holdover, stronghold