change horses in midstream
To change one's plan or approach when an effort is already underway or at another inopportune time.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“It is too late to change horses in midstream now.”
“We are halfway through the project, so it is a bad time to change horses in midstream.”
“Although the current strategy shows few results, the board fears that to change horses in midstream would only invite further chaos.”
Popularized by Abraham Lincoln.
- 01
and change
And some quantity, but less than the increment to the next round number.
- 02
beat a dead horse
To persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.
- 03
change collars
To change or shift one's career path.
- 04
change hands
To become the property of someone else; to be bought or sold.
- 05
change of clothes
A set of clothes in addition to those already worn.
- 06
change of heart
A change of one's opinion, belief or decision.
- 07
change of life
Menopause.
- 08
change of pace
A shift from one activity to another
Last updated August 10, 2026