- Directly from the primary, most authoritative, or most reliable source of information.
- From someone who has direct personal knowledge or involvement.
Explanation
Origin
- Originates from the world of horse racing in the early 20th century.
- Tips about a horse's condition or chances of winning are considered most reliable if they come from someone intimately involved with the horse (trainer, jockey, owner).
- The ultimate source would metaphorically be the horse itself.
- Therefore, getting information straight from the horse's mouth means getting it from the most direct and trustworthy source possible.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- The inside scoop / The lowdown
- Heard it firsthand
- Got it direct
- Word from the top (if the source is a leader)
Milder/Standard:
- Directly from the source
- From the authority / person responsible
- Confirmed information
- According to the official statement
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- A common and well-understood idiom. Suitable for most conversations where source reliability is relevant.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Entirely idiomatic. The literal meaning is absurd and irrelevant. Focus on the meaning of 'direct, authoritative source'.
Examples
- Is the rumor true? Yes, I heard it straight from the horse's mouth – the manager told me himself.
- Don't rely on gossip; go ask the director and get the story straight from the horse's mouth.
- The official press release confirmed the merger. That's straight from the horse's mouth.
Dialogue
Employee A: I heard whispers that our department might be restructured.
Employee B: It's more than whispers. I spoke to Sarah, the department head, this morning. She confirmed it's happening next quarter.
Employee A: Wow, okay. So you got it straight from the horse's mouth. Thanks for letting me know.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: The game developer just confirmed the update release date on their stream! Finally heard it straight from the horse's mouth! #gaming #gamedev
- Facebook Post: Stop spreading rumors about the event cancellation! The organizers posted an official statement – get the info straight from the horse's mouth here: [link]
- Reddit Comment: Is this news legit? Reply: Yeah, the author tweeted it herself. Can't get much more straight from the horse's mouth than that.
Response Patterns
- Oh, okay, then it must be true.
- Wow, who told you? (Asking to identify the 'horse')
- Well, that settles it then.
- Good to have confirmation.
- Acceptance of the information's credibility.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing information came straight from the horse's mouth:
- Who exactly is the 'horse' in this situation? (To verify the source)
- So what did they say specifically?
- Action: Accepting the information as factual.
- Action: Stopping speculation or spreading rumors.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Used when relaying information to emphasize the credibility of its source.
Intonation
- Stress often on STRAIGHT, HORSE'S, and MOUTH.
- Usually said with confidence, emphasizing the reliability and directness of the information source.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood across generations. Might sound slightly folksy but remains in common use.
Regional Variations
- Common across all major English-speaking regions.