straight from the horse's mouth
From a reliable source
Literalmente: Directly from the mouth of the horse
Use this to emphasize that your information is facts, not gossip, because the source told you directly.
Em 15 segundos
- Information coming directly from the original source.
- Used to confirm that news is 100% authentic.
- Originates from horse racing tips in the 1900s.
Significado
This phrase means you got information directly from the person involved. It is the most reliable way to know the truth because there are no middle-men.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Workplace promotion
I know Sarah got the job; I heard it straight from the horse's mouth.
I know Sarah got the job; I heard it from her directly.
Confirming a breakup
Is it true they split up? Yes, I got it straight from the horse's mouth.
Is it true they broke up? Yes, one of them told me.
Texting about a party
The party is cancelled. Got it straight from the horse's mouth (the host).
The party is off. The host told me.
Contexto cultural
The phrase originated in the early 20th-century British horse racing circuit. It reflects the gambling culture where 'inside information' was the only way to win big. Today, it is a staple of English idioms across the UK, USA, and Australia.
Don't change the animal!
Even if you are talking to your boss, don't say 'from the boss's mouth.' It must stay as 'horse' to be an idiom.
Check your source
Only use this if you are 100% sure. If you use it for a rumor that turns out to be false, you lose credibility.
Em 15 segundos
- Information coming directly from the original source.
- Used to confirm that news is 100% authentic.
- Originates from horse racing tips in the 1900s.
What It Means
Imagine you hear a rumor about a friend. You aren't sure if it is true. Then, that friend tells you the news personally. That is getting it straight from the horse's mouth. It means the information is 100% authentic. It comes from the original source. You don't have to guess or wonder anymore. It is the gold standard of information.
How To Use It
Use this when you want to prove your news is real. You can say, "I heard it straight from the horse's mouth." It usually follows a verb like hear or get. It acts as a stamp of authority. You are telling people, "Don't argue with me, I talked to the boss."
When To Use It
You can use this in many places. Use it at work when the CEO announces a bonus. Use it with friends when someone confirms they are dating. It works well when rumors are flying around. It settles arguments quickly. It feels confident and slightly clever.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for scientific facts or general knowledge. You don't get the weather straight from the horse's mouth. Also, avoid it in very stiff, legal documents. It is a bit too colorful for a court of law. Never use it if you are actually talking about an animal. That would just be confusing!
Cultural Background
This idiom comes from the world of horse racing. In the 1900s, bettors wanted tips on which horse would win. A stable boy might have an opinion. A trainer might have a guess. But the horse knows exactly how it feels! If a horse could talk, it would be the ultimate source. It implies that the closer you are to the source, the better.
Common Variations
You might hear people say from the horse's mouth. Sometimes people just say straight from the source if they want to be boring. But the horse version is much more fun. Stick with the horse to sound like a native speaker. It adds a bit of flavor to your English.
Notas de uso
This is a neutral-to-informal idiom. It is very safe to use in most social and professional situations, but avoid it in academic writing or legal contexts where 'primary source' is preferred.
Don't change the animal!
Even if you are talking to your boss, don't say 'from the boss's mouth.' It must stay as 'horse' to be an idiom.
Check your source
Only use this if you are 100% sure. If you use it for a rumor that turns out to be false, you lose credibility.
The 'Horse' isn't an insult
Calling someone a horse is usually weird, but in this phrase, it's not an insult to the person's appearance. It's just a racing metaphor!
Exemplos
6I know Sarah got the job; I heard it straight from the horse's mouth.
I know Sarah got the job; I heard it from her directly.
Confirms the news came from Sarah herself.
Is it true they split up? Yes, I got it straight from the horse's mouth.
Is it true they broke up? Yes, one of them told me.
Used to shut down gossip with facts.
The party is cancelled. Got it straight from the horse's mouth (the host).
The party is off. The host told me.
Clarifying the source in parentheses for a text.
Don't listen to the hallway talk; wait until you hear it straight from the horse's mouth.
Don't listen to rumors; wait for the official word.
Advising someone to ignore hearsay.
I asked the chef for the recipe, so this is straight from the horse's mouth!
The chef told me the recipe himself!
Slightly humorous because chefs aren't horses.
I didn't believe the news until I heard it straight from the horse's mouth.
I didn't believe it until the person involved told me.
Shows the weight of the information.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence to show you talked to the manager.
I know we are closing early today; I heard it straight from the ___ mouth.
The idiom always uses 'horse's' regardless of who the actual person is.
Choose the best context for this phrase.
You should use this phrase when...
The phrase specifically refers to direct, primary sources.
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Recursos visuais
Formality Scale
Great for friends and family gossip.
Heard it from the horse's mouth!
Perfect for office updates and meetings.
We have the data straight from the horse's mouth.
A bit too colorful for a legal contract.
The witness provided the account directly.
When to Use the Horse
Confirming a Wedding
The bride told me!
Company Layoffs
The CEO sent an email.
Secret Recipes
The baker shared it.
Sports Trades
The player tweeted it.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, not at all! It is a metaphor from horse racing and has nothing to do with the person's physical appearance.
Yes, it is common in semi-formal or neutral business settings to confirm that information is official. For example, I heard about the merger straight from the horse's mouth.
Both are correct, but straight from is more common because it emphasizes that the information didn't stop anywhere else first.
The 'horse' is whoever has the primary information. If you are talking about a project, the project manager is the horse.
No, idioms are fixed. If you change the animal, native speakers will be very confused.
It is an older phrase, but it is still used daily in modern English. It doesn't feel 'dated' or out of style.
The opposite would be hearing it through the grapevine, which means hearing a rumor from many people.
Absolutely. You can use it for any news, good or bad, as long as it comes from the source.
Usually, the context makes it clear. If not, you can add it, like: I heard it from the horse's mouth—the manager himself.
It is always possessive singular: horse's. You are talking about one specific source.
Frases relacionadas
Hear it through the grapevine
To hear news via gossip or informal rumors.
First-hand information
Information obtained directly from a source.
Take it with a grain of salt
To not completely believe something you hear.
The gospel truth
Something that is absolutely true.
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