The Archive

Etymology Journal ยท G

Get off your high horse

Meaning

To stop acting superior or arrogant toward others. It is a call for humility when someone is being particularly condescending.

Challenging, blunt

Used in a sentence

  • You need to get off your high horse and admit you were wrong too.
  • Just get off your high horse; nobody here is better than anyone else.
  • He came back from college and needs to get off his high horse before the next dinner party.

The backstory

Historically, high-ranking individuals or soldiers rode taller horses for prestige and intimidation. Getting down from that height puts you on the same level as everyone else.

Heard in

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