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Region: General | Usage example: I heard it straight from the horse's mouth.

Straight from the horse's mouth

Meaning

Information directly from the source.

Usage

Used to cite reliable firsthand info.

Origin & History

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

Trainers trust information about a horse by speaking to the stable.

Horse racing reports in the 19th century distinguished rumors from facts.

Related Idioms

From the horse's mouth

Direct from the source.

Straight from the shoulder

Blunt and honest.

Drink from the firehose

Try to absorb too much information at once.

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.