From the horses mouth

Question

What does this sentence mean? Any examples?

Guest · Accepted Answer

Hi,

The full phrase is usually: "Straight from the horse's mouth".

It comes (I believe) from the days when you would assess the age and condition of a horse, by looking in its mouth. You would not rely on assurances given by the seller, but check the condition of the teeth and gums, which is a much more reliable indication.

So, "straight from the horse's mouth" has come to mean: "from the authoritative source" (not via an intermediary). For example, if my colleague tells me what my boss said, I might not be convinced (she could have got it wrong). But if the boss comes in and tells me himself, I might say: "Ah, straight from the horse's mouth!"

Another phrase about horses and mouths is: "Never look a gift horse in the mouth". This means if something is FREE, accept it without finding fault. If you were BUYING a horse, you would check its mouth, to make sure you weren't being swindled (sold an old or sick horse, for the price of a good one). But if someone was giving you the horse for nothing, such checks would seem ungrateful.

From the horses mouth

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