whoa, Nelly
Hold your horses
Whoa, Nelly is an exclamation expressing surprise, alarm, or a need to slow down—combining the command to halt a horse with the common horse name Nelly.
It signals that something unexpected has happened or that events are moving too fast: Whoa, Nelly, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
The phrase sounds folksy and deliberately old-fashioned, often used for humorous effect.
- wowCry of amazement
- oh myExclamation of surprise
- oh my goodnessWholesome astonishment phrase
- rein inLimit or control
- rein it inExercise restraint or control
hush · chill out · halt · stop · crikey · blimey · simmer down · ease up · goodness gracious · hold your horses · slow down · pump the brakes · steady · holy cow · holy moly · good grief · jeepers · pause
whoa, Nellygiddyup
Command to start moving
go for it · full steam ahead · charge · onwards · go go go
whoa, Nellyhurry up
Command to accelerate
move it · get a move on · step on it · shake a leg · chop chop