high horse
- a haughty attitude or temper; a contemptuous manner.
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Origin of high horse
late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for high horse
Historical Examples
But she was foolish to get on her 'high-horse' and turn down my proposition.
El DiabloBrayton Norton
If she'd come off her high-horse the old man might leave a wad to Donnie.
The Long Dim TrailForrestine C. Hooker
Then he got on his high-horse and told me to shut up or he would knock me down.
The Mystery at Putnam HallArthur M. Winfield
You wouldn't come off of your high-horse for anything, would you?
From the HousetopsGeorge Barr McCutcheon
Hugh was on his high-horse, and full of historic reminiscences.
Word Origin and History for high horse
n.
originally (late 14c.) "fine, tall horse; war horse, charger" (high steed is from c.1300), also, like high hall, "status symbol;" figurative sense of "airs, easily wounded dignity" in mount (one's) high horse "affect airs of superiority" is from 1782 (Addison has to ride the great horse in the same sense, 1716). Cf. French monter sur ses grands chevaux; "The simile is common to most languages" [Farmer].
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
high horse
To be on one's “high horse” is to be disdainful or conceited: “Sally got tired of Peter's snobbery and finally told him to get off his high horse.”
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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Idioms and Phrases with high horse
high horse
see on one's high horse.
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.