drive a coach and horses through

English

Alternative forms

• drive a coach and six through

Verb

drive a coach and horses through (third-person singular simple present drives a coach and horses through, present participle driving a coach and horses through, simple past drove a coach and horses through, past participle driven a coach and horses through)

1. (British, idiomatic) To spoil, break or render ineffective (a rule, plan or agreement).
   • 2014 October 2, Emma Dunkley, George Parker, quoting Pat McFadden, “Wonga to write off £220m of loans owed by customers”, in The Financial Times‎^[1]:

     These findings drive a coach and horses through the claim that Wonga has been lending responsibly.

   • 2018 March 18, Denis Campbell, “UK anti-obesity drive at risk from new US trade deal, doctors warn”, in The Guardian‎^[2]:

     We’ve been told that No 10 is preparing to update its obesity strategy. Part of that must be to get us all eating more healthily.¶ But a sugary, junk-filled trade deal will drive a coach and horses through it all.

Synonyms

• See Thesaurus:nonconform