English idiom

straight from the horse's mouth

Register · Informal CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

from the most reliable, first-hand source

Why this phrase?

Racing tips were thought most reliable when heard from the horse itself; today it means information direct from the source.

Example

“I heard it straight from the horse's mouth — the CEO announced it herself.”

Dictionary details

Component words

horse

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

put the cart before the horse

to do things in the wrong order

keep someone posted

to keep someone informed of the latest developments

keep tabs on

to monitor someone or something carefully over time

through the grapevine

via informal gossip or rumor, not official channels

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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