horse's mouth: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Idiomatic, informal
Quick answer
What does “horse's mouth” mean?
The original, most direct, or most authoritative source of information.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The original, most direct, or most authoritative source of information.
A metaphorical reference to an unimpeachable source, implying that information is trustworthy because it comes directly from someone who is unquestionably in the know.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and meaning are identical. Spelling of 'mouth' remains the same.
Connotations
Identical. Both varieties use it with the same positive connotation of reliable information.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English, but well-established and widely understood in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “horse's mouth” in a Sentence
PREP `from` NP `horse's mouth`ADV `straight` PREP `from` NP `horse's mouth`Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Before we invest, we need confirmation of the merger straight from the horse's mouth."
Academic
Rare, except in linguistics or idiom studies.
Everyday
"Is it true they're moving? I heard it straight from the horse's mouth—Sarah herself!"
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “horse's mouth”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “horse's mouth”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “horse's mouth”
- Using the singular 'horse mouth' (correct: horse's mouth).
- Using it as a standalone noun phrase without 'from' (e.g., 'The horse's mouth told me' is incorrect).
- Attempting to use it for a physical source (e.g., a document).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, use synonyms like 'authoritative source' or 'firsthand account'.
The most cited origin is from horse racing, where a tip about a race's winner would be most reliable if it came directly from the horse (or its trainer), not from gossip or guesswork.
Yes, metaphorically. 'The horse's mouth' can refer to a company's official spokesperson, a government department, or any entity considered the ultimate source of certain information.
No, it is not offensive. It is a light-hearted, positive idiom praising the reliability of information.
The original, most direct, or most authoritative source of information.
Horse's mouth: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɔːsɪz ˈmaʊθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɔːrsɪz ˈmaʊθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(Get it) straight from the horse's mouth”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a horse-racing tipster. The most reliable tip isn't from a newspaper, but whispered directly from the actual racing horse's mouth.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOURCE OF INFORMATION IS A SPEAKING ANIMAL (where the animal represents the ultimate authority).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'straight from the horse's mouth' imply?