# horse opera

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/horse-opera
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A theatrical production, film, or program on radio or television depicting adventures of characters in the American Old West; a western.

## Examples

- My grandfather loves watching an old horse opera on Sunday afternoons.
- The local cinema is hosting a festival dedicated to the classic horse opera, featuring many famous cowboys from the fifties.
- While some critics dismiss the genre as simplistic, the horse opera remains a foundational element of American cinematic history and cultural mythology.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.