Phrase guide

one-trick pony

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A performing animal (especially a pony) that knows only one trick.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A person or group noteworthy for only a single achievement, skill, or characteristic.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 只會一招的動物 /只会一招的动物 (zhǐ huì yī zhāo de dòngwù) — animal
  • Finnish: yhden tempun osaava poni — animal
  • Polish: zwierzę znające tylko jedną sztuczkę — animal
  • Chinese Mandarin: 一招鮮 /一招鲜 — person or group
  • Finnish: yksitaitoinen ihminen — person or group
  • Finnish: yhden asian ihminen — person or group
  • Polish: osoba dobra w tylko jednej rzeczy — person or group
  • Scottish Gaelic: pìobaire an aon phuirt — person or group
  • Spanish: caballo de un solo truco — person or group