PhrasesHub

Don't change horses in midstream

    Definitions

      • Encourage consistency and stability
        Advise against changing plans or strategies abruptly, emphasizing the importance of staying the course or remaining committed to a certain path or decision

      • Discourage betrayal or disloyalty
        Warn against switching allegiances or betraying someone or something in the middle of a situation, highlighting the negative consequences and potential loss of trust or support

    Examples of Don't change horses in midstream

    • John had been working for a big corporation for over a decade, and he knew the ins and outs of the company. Suddenly, a new CEO was appointed, and John's job role was redefined. John was not satisfied with the new CEO's leadership style and considered looking for another job. However, he realized that it would be foolish to leave the company at this juncture, as it would disrupt his career trajectory. Therefore, he decided to stay put and adapt to the new circumstances.

      This idiom is used when someone is contemplating a drastic change in a situation that is already in progress. It implies that it is not a good idea to make a switch midway, as it could result in unintended consequences. In John's case, leaving his job at this point could potentially hinder his progress, as his seniority and expertise within the company held great value.

    • Sarah had been struggling to complete her PhD thesis for over three years. She was close to presenting her research paper, but her supervisor was replaced with a new one. Sarah found it challenging to work with the new supervisor, as their research interests did not align. She wanted to switch back to her old supervisor, but she realized that it could further delay the submission of her thesis. Hence, Sarah decided to work collaboratively with the new supervisor and complete her thesis on time.

      This idiom is used in situations where someone is required to make a significant change in a process that is already underway. It indicates that it is advisable to follow through with the existing plan, even if there is some discomfort or inconvenience. In Sarah's case, switching back to her old supervisor could have resulted in a delay, as her supervisor might have had other students to prioritize. Hence, Sarah decided to make the best of the situation and complete her thesis as per the new supervisor's guidance.

    • The government had initiated a health campaign to eradicate malaria from the region. However, a new political party came into power, and the new government decided to scrap the campaign. The health officials urged the new government to continue with the campaign, as it was already showing positive results. The new government, however, did not heed their advice and discontinued the campaign. As a result, there was a surge in malaria cases, and the government was criticized for its ill-timed decision.

      This idiom is used to illustrate the consequences of disrupting a process that is already yielding positive results. It highlights that continuing with the existing plan is crucial to attain the desired outcome. In the above example, the new government's decision to discontinue the campaign led to undesirable consequences, as the earlier progress made by the health officials was lost.

    • Jane was a successful executive in a marketing firm. She was promoted to a senior position, and her job role was expanded. However, the new job required her to collaborate with a new team, which was led by a new manager. Jane found it challenging to work with the new manager, as she had a different working style. She considered quitting her job, but she realized that leaving the company midway could hamper her career prospects. Hence, Jane decided to adapt to the new team and manager and continued to excel in her job.

      This idiom is used to illustrate the risks of abandoning a job or position midway due to discomfort with a new manager or team. It highlights that it is wiser to adapt to the new circumstances and continue with the job rather than risking the career prospects. In Jane's case, leaving her job could have resulted in a dearth of job offers, as she would then have an employment gap in her resume. Therefore, she decided to persevere and excel in her job despite the initial discomfort.

    • The company was doing well, and we were on the verge of signing a major client. Suddenly, the CEO decided to make a drastic change in the management team. This decision meant that we needed to replace several key people, and it was unclear whether the new hires would work out. As a result, I advised the CEO to avoid making any further major changes during this critical time. I told him that it's like "don't change horses in midstream." We needed to keep the current team in place and give them time to complete the project and close the deal with the new client.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to advise caution against making major changes during a critical time or when in the middle of a process. The image of changing horses in midstream suggests that it's a challenging and risky time to make significant changes. It's better to wait until the process is complete before making any major changes.

    • The government was in the middle of passing a complex piece of legislation. Suddenly, a new party came into power, and they decided to reverse some of the policies from the previous administration. This decision took many people by surprise, and it caused a lot of confusion and uncertainty. I told a friend that it's like "don't change horses in midstream." The legislation was in the middle of the process, and it was important to ensure that it was passed smoothly. Making major changes during this time would only cause delays and frustrations.

      This example illustrates how the idiom can be used to describe situations where a new force or party takes over mid-process. It's a cautionary reminder that it's better to avoid major changes during such times and to ensure that the process is completed smoothly.

    • Our marketing campaign was going well, and we were seeing great results. Suddenly, our marketing director left the company, and we had to replace her. The process of finding and training a new marketing director took several months, which meant that we had to carry on with the campaign without her. I told the team that it's like "don't change horses in midstream." We had to keep the current strategy in place while we waited for the new director to join us.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe situations where a key person leaves mid-process. It's a reminder to avoid making major changes during this time and to ensure that the current strategy is carried out until a replacement is found.

    • The project was in the middle of testing when the CEO decided to make a major change in the team. This decision meant that we had to replace several key people, and it caused a lot of disruption and uncertainty. I told the CEO that "don't change horses in midstream" is not just a figure of speech; it's a wise decision to make in order to avoid major complications. This decision would have caused significant setbacks to the project, and it would have taken a lot of time and resources to make the necessary changes.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used in a persuasive context to advise caution against making major changes during critical times. It's a reminder that disrupting the project mid-process can result in major setbacks, delays, and additional costs. It's better to avoid making such changes unless it's absolutely necessary.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "don't change horses in midstream" is often used to caution against making sudden changes or betraying someone or something in the middle of a situation. It is typically used in a figurative sense, with the "stream" representing a continuous journey or process, and the "horse" representing a decision or action.

    In the first meaning, the intention is to encourage consistency and stability. This can apply to various situations, such as a project or a relationship, where it is believed that abruptly changing plans or strategies could lead to negative consequences. The idiom suggests that it is better to stick with a decision or plan, even if it may seem difficult or challenging at the moment.

    In the second meaning, the intention is to discourage betrayal or disloyalty. This can be seen in situations where someone is considering switching allegiances or betraying a person or cause. The idiom serves as a warning that such actions can have negative consequences and can damage trust and relationships.

    Origin of "Don't change horses in midstream"

    The origin of this idiom is believed to come from an actual event in history. It is said that during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln was advised to change his running mate for the upcoming election. In response, he reportedly said, "I do not allow myself to be told who shall be my friends. I take my own counsel and my own judgement." This is believed to be the inspiration for the idiom, as changing running mates in the middle of a campaign could be seen as a betrayal or a sign of instability.

    Over time, the idiom has evolved to encompass a wider range of situations, but the overall message remains the same - it is usually better to stick with a decision or plan rather than making sudden changes. It also emphasizes the importance of loyalty and trust in relationships and warns against betrayal.