horse sense

noun

1. common sense.

horse sense

noun

1. another term for common sense

Word History and Origins

Origin of horse sense¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Idioms and Phrases

Sound practical sense, as in She's got too much horse sense to believe his story. The exact allusion in this term, which dates from the mid-1800s, is disputed, since some regard horses as rather stupid. However, they tended to be viewed more positively in the American West, where the term originated.