horse sense
1
4.8
- noun
- /hɔrs sɛns/
- Informal
:
sentido común
- You know, it's as if the horse was trying to knock some horse sense into Charles.
- a little horse sense
Examples
-
I thank you for your companionship, your stamina, your horse sense, and 101 laughs.
-
Now you're talking horse sense.
-
- That shows a lot of horse sense.
-
I think "horse sense" is a real thing.
-
That is why my kind has horse sense, and yours does not.
Fiction book (1994) -
Since when did you ever see a hunter with any horse sense?
-
I have more horse sense than you'll ever have.
-
That's not optimism, just common horse sense.
-
I can't believe it because... if I ever stop believing in the plain old common horse sense of the American people, there'd be no way I could get out of bed in the morning.
-
He made a decision based on pure horse sense, considering the practical aspects of the situation.
Synonyms
∞
3.7
Good practical judgment about what to do
244
1.8
The ability to make good decisions in everyday life
53
3.6
The ability to make sensible decisions in everyday life
17
7.9
Skill at making good, quick decisions in a specific area
15
8.1
Being brave and using common sense to act and solve problems
4
3.7
The ability to make sensible, careful decisions
1
4.6
Being careful and reasonable when making choices
1
9.9
Natural practical sense a person is born with, not learned at school
Antonyms
How Sensible
571
2.7
4
3.7
- Informal
1
4.8
244
1.8
11
3.5
61
2.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
horse + sense
The word 'sense' clearly indicates judgment, but the contribution of 'horse' is metaphorical and relies on cultural knowledge that horses are associated with practicality; a B1 learner who knows the parts would only partially infer the intended meaning. Because the relation between 'horse' and 'practical/common sense' is not directly predictable, the expression is not fully transparent and likely requires some exposure.
Etymology
Horse sense may come from the idea that a horse must use simple sense to stay safe and find food on the farm. So, saying someone has 'horse sense' means they have 'practical judgment' and make good decisions in everyday life.