hear something straight from the horse's mouth

idiom

Meaning

Hear something from the person involved

Origin

disputed origin

From early 20th-century horse racing: the most reliable tip comes from those closest to the horse — and a horse's age can be verified directly from its teeth.

Examples

SIMPLE

I want to hear the news straight from the horse's mouth.

CONTEXTUAL

I didn't believe the rumors about the office closing until I heard it straight from the horse's mouth during the meeting.

COMPLEX

Rather than relying on second-hand reports from the media, the investigator insisted on hearing the testimony straight from the horse's mouth to ensure the facts were accurate.

Last updated June 7, 2026