change horses in midstream
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Popularized by Abraham Lincoln.
Pronunciation edit
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb edit
change horses in midstream (third-person singular simple present changes horses in midstream, present participle changing horses in midstream, simple past and past participle changed horses in midstream)
- (idiomatic) To change one's plan or approach when an effort is already underway or at another inopportune time.
- 1975, Bob Dylan (lyrics and music), “You're a Big Girl Now”, in Blood on the Tracks:
- A change in the weather is known to be extreme / But what's the sense of changing horses in midstream?
Usage notes edit
Often used as a caution: "don't change horses in midstream".
Translations edit
to change one's plan when an effort is already underway
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Further reading edit
- Gary Martin (1997–) “Change horses in midstream”, in The Phrase Finder.