high horse

English

Pronunciation

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Noun

high horse (plural high horses)

1. (idiomatic) An appearance or sense of smug superiority.
   • 1905, E. M. Forster, Where Angels Fear to Tread , chapter 6:

     "I tell you Miss Abbott, it's one thing for England and another for Italy. There we plan and get on high moral horses. here we find what asses we are, for things go off quite easily, all by themselves.

Derived terms

• on one's high horse
• get off one's high horse
• ride the high horse

Translations

sense of superiority

• Estonian: kõigeteadja
• German: hohes Ross n
• Russian: пальцы веером (palʹcy vejerom)