PhrasesHub

Horse feathers

    Definitions

      • disbelief or dismissal
        Express disbelief or skepticism about a statement or idea

      • nonsense
        Describe something as absurd or ridiculous

    Examples of Horse feathers

    • The sales presentation that the marketing team came up with is full of horse feathers.

      This idiom is used to describe an idea, proposal, or presentation that is completely nonsensical or lacking in substance. It suggests that the presentation is filled with empty promises, exaggerations, or unrealistic claims, much like how horse feathers are useless and serve no purpose.

    • The politician's promises during the campaign were nothing but horse feathers.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone makes unrealistic or empty promises that they are unable to keep. It suggests that the promises are worthless, just like how horse feathers are useless.

    • The CEO's decision to launch a new product line was a total flop. It was all horse feathers!

      This idiom is used to describe a failed or unproductive endeavor that turned out to be a waste of time and resources. It suggests that the whole thing was a sham, much like how horse feathers are useless and serve no purpose.

    • The boss handed out another round of horse feathers during the company meeting.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone gives out unrealistic or impractical instructions or expectations, which are impossible to fulfill. It suggests that the instructions are worthless, just like how horse feathers are useless.

    • The boss presented a wild and unrealistic proposal to the board of directors, filled with horse feathers and no substance.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is completely false, ridiculous, or pointless. It implies that the proposal, much like horse feathers, is empty and devoid of real value or meaning.

    • The sales pitch was all horse feathers, packed with exaggerated claims and no proof to back them up.

      This idiom emphasizes that the sales pitch was full of false or misleading statements, much like horse feathers that are not worth anything. The speaker is suggesting that the sales pitch was filled with promises that could not be kept.

    • The politician's speech was full of horse feathers, with empty rhetoric and no actionable ideas.

      This idiom is used to describe something that sounds good but has no real substance or meaning. The politician's speech, much like horse feathers, may have sounded impressive, but it lacked any practical ideas or solutions.

    • The article was filled with horse feathers, with no actual evidence or facts to support its claims.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is not based on reality or facts, much like horse feathers that are not worth anything. The article, filled with horse feathers, may have sounded convincing, but it lacked any real evidence or facts to support its claims.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "horse feathers" is used to express disbelief or skepticism, as well as to describe something as absurd or ridiculous. It can be used in a lighthearted or humorous way to dismiss something as nonsense.

    Origin of "Horse feathers"

    The origin of the idiom "horse feathers" can be traced back to the early 20th century, specifically to the 1920s. It is believed to have originated as a euphemism for the phrase "horse s***," which was considered vulgar at the time. The use of "feathers" in place of a more explicit word allowed for a more polite way to convey disbelief or dismissal.

    The idiom likely gained popularity in the United States and was used in various forms of entertainment, such as literature, theater, and film. Over time, it became a common expression in colloquial language, used to convey a sense of incredulity or to mock something as nonsensical. The playful and whimsical nature of the idiom has contributed to its enduring use in modern English.