High horse - get off your | English Idioms and Phrases

Definitions

to stop acting as if you are better or more important than other people
to tell someone to stop being arrogant or condescending
to stop being self-righteous or judgmental
to advise someone to stop being overly critical or morally superior

Examples of High horse - get off your

Sarah had been advocating for an environmentally-friendly policy all day at the conference, but when her colleague Thomas suggested a different approach, she immediately got on her high horse and refused to listen to any other ideas.

This is an example of someone being overly righteous or self-righteous about a particular issue or opinion. Sarah, in this case, becomes so fixated on her original stance that she fails to consider other viewpoints, which is not conducive to productive discussions or problem-solving. To "get off your high horse" in this scenario would mean for Sarah to become more open-minded and receptive to alternative suggestions.
Michael had been criticizing his friend Laura for her unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, but when Laura pointed out Michael's own indulgent habits, he suddenly became defensive and started making excuses.

This example illustrates how quickly someone can become hypocritical and judgmental when on a high horse. Michael's initial criticism of Laura for her habits was well-intentioned, but as soon as he was called out for his own behavior, he became defensive and tried to justify his actions, rather than admitting he had also been living an unhealthy lifestyle. It's essential to avoid being hypocritical and judgmental, especially when it comes to personal habits, as no one wants to be lectured or criticized by someone who isn't leading by example.
John had been preaching about the importance of teamwork and collaboration in the workplace, but when his colleagues suggested working together on a project, he insisted on doing everything himself.

Here, John is not only on a high horse but is also displaying a lack of trust in his coworkers. Such behavior can harm the overall productivity and morale of the team, as it leads to a lack of involvement and motivation from other members. John's colleagues might take his advice less seriously if they see that he is not practicing what he preaches. It is crucial to lead by example and practice the values one preaches.
Lily had been arguing that her new project was the best way to go about things, but when her manager suggested reviewing other options, Lily began to belittle her manager's ideas and called her a "micromanager."

This example shows how being on a high horse can lead to a lack of respect for authority or seniority. When Lily's manager, who holds a higher position, began suggesting alternatives, Lily should have listened instead of dismissing her ideas. This behavior not only shows disrespect for the higher-up but also damages the working relationship between Lily and her manager, making it difficult to work together in the future. It's crucial to maintain a healthy level of respect for those in positions of authority and seniority, even when one disagrees with their decisions or strategies.
During the team meeting, Sarah kept criticizing everyone's ideas and acting as if she knew everything. John finally had enough and said, "Sarah, it seems like you're riding a high horse today. Can you please come down and listen to what others have to say?"

In this context, "riding a high horse" means behaving in an arrogant and superior manner. John asked Sarah to stop acting as if she were better than everyone else and to treat others with respect.
After the party, Emily's friends teased her for being too uptight and pretentious. She defended herself, saying, "I'm not being pretentious! I'm just passionate about my beliefs and WANT to make a difference in the world!" Her friends replied, "Emily, we get it. But sometimes it's okay to chill out and have a good time instead of always being on a high horse."

Here, "being on a high horse" implies being too self-righteous and judgmental, missing out on the lighter and more enjoyable aspects of life. Emily's friends encouraged her to relax and enjoy herself without being so serious all the time.
In a heated argument, Tom accused Maria of being narrow-minded and close-minded. Taking offense, Maria retorted, "How dare you! I'm not narrow-minded or close-minded! I'm simply choosing to stand by my beliefs, despite your attempts to push me off my high horse!"

In this scenario, "standing by your beliefs" can sometimes come off as being "on a high horse" - a position of superiority or judgment over others. Maria defended herself by asserting that her beliefs were valid and that she was not being overly critical or judgmental of others.
After work, Daniel vented to his coworker about a difficult customer. His coworker, sensing his frustration, replied, "Daniel, you're on a high horse again. Try to see things from her perspective and understand where she's coming from."

In this context, "being on a high horse" can also mean being too self-righteous or judgmental in a specific situation. Daniel's coworker encouraged him to think from a different perspective and avoid being too critical or rigid in his opinions.

Conclusion

The idiom "get off your high horse" is used to advise someone to stop behaving in an arrogant or self-righteous manner and to treat others with more humility and respect. It can be used to discourage someone from acting superior or judgmental towards others.

Origin of "High horse - get off your"

The origin of the idiom "get off your high horse" can be traced back to the Middle Ages when people of higher social status or nobility would ride on high horses to signify their superiority over others. The phrase was used to literally mean that someone should dismount from their high horse and come down to the same level as everyone else. Over time, the idiom has evolved to convey the idea of abandoning a haughty or superior attitude towards others. Today, it is commonly used to advise someone to stop being arrogant or self-righteous. For example, if someone is being overly critical or judgmental, they might be told to "get off their high horse" and treat others with more respect.