# horses for courses

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/horses-for-courses
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Different people are suited for different jobs or situations; what is fitting in one case may not be fitting in another.

## Examples

- She is great at math, but he prefers art; it is horses for courses.
- We chose the quiet candidate for the research role and the outgoing one for sales, because it is truly horses for courses.
- While a small car is perfect for city driving, you need a powerful truck for mountain roads, as it is simply a matter of horses for courses.
- Recognizing that different projects demand distinct skill sets, the manager assigned tasks based on the principle of horses for courses to ensure optimal results.

## Origin

The expression originates from the nineteenth-century British racing world, functioning as an allusion to the observation that a racehorse performs best on a racecourse to which it is specifically suited. The requirements of a particular track, such as the firmness of the turf or the direction of the turns, were understood to favour certain animals over others. It was a matter of professional competence to match the beast to the environment.

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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.