Straight from the horse's mouth

Definitions

• To obtain information from a reliable or primary source
  To directly hear or receive information from someone who has first-hand knowledge or is an authoritative figure on a particular topic or situation

• To hear something directly from the source without any intermediaries or secondhand information
  To indicate that information is accurate, reliable, and trustworthy because it comes directly from the person or source involved in the situation

Examples of Straight from the horse's mouth

• The CEO announced the company's financial results straight from the horse's mouth during the annual shareholders' meeting.

  This idiom means that the speaker is quoting or revealing information directly from the source, in this case, the CEO. It suggests that the information is accurate and reliable because it is coming from the person who has firsthand knowledge of the situation. The phrase "straight from the horse's mouth" is often used in business, politics, and journalism to emphasize the authenticity and credibility of the information being shared.

Conclusion

The idiom "straight from the horse's mouth" is commonly used to mean obtaining information from a reliable or primary source. It can also refer to hearing something directly from the source without any intermediaries or secondhand information.

In both cases, the phrase emphasizes the importance and reliability of the information received. It implies that the information is accurate and trustworthy because it comes directly from the source involved in the situation. This can be used to convey the idea that there is no room for doubt or speculation when the information comes straight from the horse's mouth.

Origin of "Straight from the horse's mouth"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to horse racing in the 19th century. Back then, horse racing was a popular sport and people would often bet on the outcome of races. In order to gain an advantage and make informed bets, gamblers would try to obtain insider information about the horses and their performance.

One way of getting this information was to gather it from the trainers or owners of the horses themselves. It was believed that the most reliable and accurate information could be obtained straight from the horse's mouth, as the horse would have first-hand knowledge of its own abilities and condition.

Over time, the phrase "straight from the horse's mouth" became popularized and spread beyond the world of horse racing, and is now commonly used in everyday language to indicate reliable and direct information from a primary source.