cheval de bataille
Americannoun
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a horse used in battle; charger.
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a favorite topic of discussion, argument, etc.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I doubt if Homer will be a cheval de bataille sufficiently strong to carry you safely through the intricacies of this enterprise.'
From The Life of William Ewart Gladstone, Vol. 1 (of 3) 1809-1859 by Morley, John
Faust had remained from the beginning our most unconditional success, our cheval de bataille, and never failed to pack the house.
From Memoirs of an American Prima Donna by Kellogg, Clara Louise
Why, I unfortunately told Fernan Brown one story—-about their mocking old Miss Bruce with putting on imitation spectacles-—and it has served him for a cheval de bataille ever since!
From The Long Vacation by Yonge, Charlotte Mary
As our cheval de bataille stands ready saddled and bridled for us just now, we must indulge ourselves in mounting him for a brief excursion.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 12, No. 69, July, 1863 by Various
His forte is the foible; his cheval de bataille, the hobby-horse.
From The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Sterne, Laurence
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
