unhorse
Americanverb (used with object)
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to cause to fall from a horse, as in battle; dislodge from the saddle.
Sir Gawain unhorsed the strange knight.
-
to defeat; overcome; dislodge, as from a position or office.
His vigorous campaign unhorsed his adversary.
verb
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(usually passive) to knock or throw from a horse
-
to overthrow or dislodge, as from a powerful position
-
rare to unharness horses from (a carriage, etc)
Etymology
Origin of unhorse
First recorded in 1350–1400, unhorse is from the Middle English word unhorsen. See un- 2, horse
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.
See Examples For:
Unseating Bush was daunting, as it is to unhorse any incumbent president.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 23, 2019
It had been brought up in 1936, when it was obvious from the outset that no Republican could hope to unhorse Franklin Roosevelt.
From Time Magazine Archive
Even so, Johnson may prove no easier to unhorse in 1968 than Harry Truman was 20 years earlier when threatened by an overconfident G.O.P.
From Time Magazine Archive
This and a score more of tempests and squalls could not unhorse him.
From Time Magazine Archive
His strength and prowess were such, that he never met an adversary who was able to unhorse him.
From The Lay of Marie by Matilda Betham
This physical expansion brought with it the soaring costs that have unhorsed so many other bricks-and-mortar retailers.
From BBC ● Apr. 9, 2019
This came after the outgoing speaker had already been unhorsed for his own ethical failings.
From Fox News ● Feb. 6, 2019
This is a group dedicated to rehabilitating the reputation of a king they say was much maligned by Shakespeare and supporters of Henry Tudor, who killed Richard after he was unhorsed in battle.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 22, 2015
They unhorsed knights who then lay helplessly on the ground in their heavy armor.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2012
They spoke also of unbelievable things—of Lancelot unhorsed, defeated, kneeling after he had been knocked down.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
So, consider how the unhorsing of Cantor may strike some other Republicans.
From Washington Post
Slim Jim Carey, now the C.I.O.'s secretary-treasurer, knew that he had not the slimmest chance of unhorsing the top trio, but he carried his fight to the floor.
From Time Magazine Archive
There was even talk of unhorsing Old Guardsman Watson as Republican Leader and putting Senator McNary into his place.
From Time Magazine Archive
In the fall of 1946 they headed a veterans' group that came within a lance-tip of unhorsing the political boss, Judge Cy Bond.
From Time Magazine Archive
Yet he acquitted himself well, unhorsing Horas Redwyne in his first joust and one of the Freys in his second.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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