pony
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a type of small horse that stays small even when it is an adult.
n.any of several breeds of small horse, typically defined as being under 14.2 hands (58 inches) at the withers.
Simple“The children were excited to ride the pony at the local farm.”
In context“The breed is classified as a pony rather than a horse due to its specific skeletal proportions and height at maturity.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.a slang word for twenty-five pounds (£25).
n.a slang term representing the sum of twenty-five pounds sterling.
Simple“He told me the repair would cost a pony, which was more than I expected.”
In context“In London's East End, you might still hear a trader refer to a twenty-five pound price tag as a pony.”
Teacher's tipThis is very specific to London and informal British contexts; most learners should use 'twenty-five pounds' instead.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.something that is poor quality or total nonsense.
n.derived from Cockney rhyming slang (pony and trap), used to describe something as rubbish or of no value.
Simple“Don't listen to him; he's talking absolute pony.”
In context“The critics dismissed the new play as total pony, citing the weak script and uninspired acting.”
Teacher's tipThis is a euphemism for 'crap' based on rhyming slang; it is informal and can be mildly offensive depending on the company.
Antonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
n.a book or notes used by students to help translate a foreign language text quickly.
n.a literal translation or 'crib' used by students to assist in the translation of a text, often used surreptitiously.
Simple“He used a pony to get through his Latin homework because the text was too difficult.”
In context“The professor discouraged the use of a pony, insisting that students struggle with the original Greek syntax themselves.”
Synonyms - 05 B1 Intermediate
n.a way of wearing hair tied at the back so it hangs down like a pony's tail.
n.an informal shortening of 'ponytail', referring to a hairstyle gathered and secured at the back of the head.
Simple“She pulled her hair back into a quick pony before starting her workout.”
In context“For the gym, she preferred a high pony to keep her hair entirely off her neck during the cardio session.”
Synonyms - 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to pay money that you owe, especially when you do not want to.
v.used in the phrasal verb 'pony up' to mean paying money or settling a debt.
Simple“It is time for you to pony up and pay your share of the rent.”
In context“The investors were forced to pony up additional capital to keep the struggling startup afloat during the market downturn.”
UsageAlmost exclusively used as the phrasal verb 'pony up'.
- 07 C2 Proficiency
adj.describing something that is bad, cheap, or useless.
adj.attributive use describing an object or situation as inferior or worthless.
Simple“I bought a cheap watch but it was a bit pony and broke after a week.”
In context“The service at that restaurant was a bit pony, so I don't think we'll be going back.”
1659 from Scots powny, apparently from Middle French poulenet (“little foal”), ultimately from Late Latin pullanus (“young of an animal”), from pullus (cognate to English foal). Sense “small serving of alcohol” from 19th century, both for small sizes generally and for a quarter pint specifically, from the small size.
Clipping of pony and trap, rhyming with crap.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.