from the horse's mouth

Idioms  

1. From a reliable source, on the best authority. For example, I have it from the horse's mouth that he plans to retire next month. Also put as straight from the horse's mouth, this expression alludes to examining a horse's teeth to determine its age and hence its worth. [1920s]

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Example Sentences

Well they will now hear it from the horse’s mouth as the biggest U.S. carriers are due to provide updates at the JPMorgan Industrials Conference in Washington.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

"Gregg told me those people have a dreadful life. 'We're doing good', he told me. That was from the horse's mouth, so I won't let anyone tell me we shouldn't have been there."

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2024

"The attackers are getting the information directly from the horse's mouth, if you will, and they don't have to sit there and make interpretations because they're getting it directly from the expert," Elliot said.

From Reuters • Dec. 12, 2022

The secret tapes "prove straight from the horse's mouth, straight from an Exxon insider, what our and others' research has indicated for so long," Supran said.

From Salon • Jul. 10, 2021

For the first time she noticed that in the center of the courtyard was a fountain from which a horse and rider reared, and water plumed out from the horse’s mouth.

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo