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Region: General | Usage example: He heard the news from the horse's mouth.

From the horse's mouth

Meaning

Direct from the source.

Usage

Emphasizes reliability of firsthand information.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Racing and betting circles trusted information from the stables.

19th century horse racing reports contrasted rumors with details from stables.

Related Idioms

Straight from the horse's mouth

Information directly from the source.

Put your money where your mouth is

Support words with action or investment.

Hand to mouth

Living with just enough to survive.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.