Straight From the Horse's Mouth – Meaning, Origin and Usage

Would you like to let someone know that information or a quote comes right from the original source, and this isn't some 'friend of a friend' type of thing? The phrase 'straight from the horse's mouth' is a popular figurative saying in the English language that can be used to say it. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this common saying.

Meaning

The phrase 'straight from the horse's mouth' is a type of figurative expression that can be used to mean that the speaker has the information (or quote) that they have given from the original source.

One way to use the saying is to say that 'it comes straight from the horse's mouth' or 'it came straight from the horse's mouth'.

The phrase can also be shortened to say 'from the horse's mouth' and the rest of the phrase is implied by the speaker.

The phrase implies that the information relayed with the saying is true and from the orignal source.

The sentence is often used to imply that someone is not lying, or has just said a true statement.

The phrase can be used to imply one source or several without plural use, although plural use of the sentence can also be considered valid as 'straight from the horses' mouths'.

According to most resources, the phrase is equally popular in most English countries, though might not translate well to other languages as a direct phrase where there are no equivalents.

Example Usage

“I didn't believe the rumors about my grandfather and the war at first, but my dad says that he heard the whole thing straight from the horse's mouth when he was younger and I'll believe him any day.”

“If you want to be a good newspaper reporter, you have got to try and get most of your quotes straight from the horse's mouth.”

“There it is right there in the interview: straight from the horse's mouth that he did not do those things with that woman who wearing a clown suit. It must have been someone else.”

“If you want to get it straight from the horse's mouth, then you should drag the suspect to a cell until he feels that there's something to talk about in court on Monday morning.”

Origin

The origin of the phrase 'from the horse's mouth' is agreed to originate from horse racing, a sport that has been a popular participation and spectator sport since at least the 1600s.

According to most online language resources, the phrase 'from the horse's mouth' would have referred to the appearance of a horse's bit: this would have been some indication of its capacity to race, and therefore led to the common use of the expression.

Figurative use of the saying is likely to have occurred later, and the original saying is likely to have just meant 'a good racing truth' or 'a good betting tip' at first.

The phrase continued to be used by writers throughout the 19th to 21st century, and the saying is still common as a modern pop culture reference or general figurative saying that might be used on social or general media.

Phrases Similar to Straight from the Horse's Mouth

  • First-hand knowledge

Phrases Opposite to Straight from the Horse's Mouth

  • Through the grapevine

What is the Correct Saying?

  • [heard it] straight from the horse's mouth
  • [it comes] straight from the horse's mouth

Ways People May Say Straight from the Horse's Mouth Incorrectly

The phrase 'straight from the horse's mouth' can be misunderstood by the audience or used in the wrong way by someone who does not know the meaning or context of the phrase.

The phrase might not translate well directly to most other languages where there is no equivalent.

While it is atypical to say 'straight from the horses' mouths', this is still correct use of the saying.

Acceptable Ways to Phrase Straight from the Horse's Mouth

The correct way to use the phrase 'straight from the horse's mouth' is to say that something comes (or came) 'straight from the horse's mouth'.

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