Phrase guide

straight from the horse's mouth

adj · adv · 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

adj

Meaning 1

firsthand; direct; from the source.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

Examples

  • This is straight from the horse's mouth.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

Directly from the source; firsthand.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

Examples

  • If you don't believe me, go talk to him and hear it straight from the horse's mouth. It's true.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

This idiom comes from British horse-racing circles, likely because the presumed ideal source for racing tips would be the horse rather than spectators or riders.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: suoraan hevosen suusta — from the source
  • French: de première main — from the source
  • German: aus erster Hand — from the source
  • Icelandic: frá fyrstu hendi — from the source
  • Icelandic: milliliðalaust — from the source
  • Italian: alla fonte — from the source
  • Finnish: suoraan hevosen suusta — firsthand
  • French: de première main — firsthand
  • German: aus erster Hand — firsthand
  • Icelandic: frá fyrstu hendi — firsthand
  • Icelandic: milliliðalaust — firsthand
  • Italian: di prima mano — firsthand
  • Italian: alla fonte — firsthand
  • Polish: z pierwszej ręki — firsthand
  • Portuguese: em primeira mão — firsthand
  • Portuguese: direto da fonte — firsthand