swap horses in midstream
Switch mid-task
To swap horses in midstream is to change plans, leaders, or methods in the middle of an undertaking—usually inadvisable because the transition creates vulnerability.
The image is of a rider crossing a river who decides partway through to switch mounts.
Almost always used in the negative: Don't swap horses in midstream.
The phrase appears frequently in political contexts, arguing against changing leadership during a crisis.
- rock the boatDisturb a stable situation
- changeTo make different
- change courseModify one's trajectory
- substitutionExchange of one for another
- replacementWhat takes another's place
switch · risk-taking · second-guess · shift · trade · alternate · Lincoln · crisis management · shift gears · contingency planning · succession planning · turning point · roll the dice · risk · risky move · take a gamble · upset the apple cart · shake things up
swap horses in midstreamstay the course
Continue despite difficulties
see it through · hold steady · keep the faith · stick with it · stand firm
swapped, swapping, horses, horsed, horsing, horsey, horseman, horsemanship, stream