# shanks' nag

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/shanks-nag
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Transportation by foot. To "take a shanks' nag" means using one's own legs to walk.

## Examples

- My car broke down, so I took shanks' nag home.
- I save money on my commute by using shanks' nag every morning.
- Do you prefer taking the train or relying on shanks' nag?
- Since the bus stopped running early, we had to rely on shanks' nag to get back to the hotel.
- The elevator is out of order, so you will have to use shanks' nag to reach the fifth floor today.
- If we want to see the hidden waterfall in the forest, shanks' nag is our only option for transport.
- Finding the city center inaccessible by vehicle, the weary travelers resigned themselves to shanks' nag, traversing the cobblestone streets on foot.

## Origin

The expression is traced back to 1758 as *shanks-nag* and is believed to be Scottish in origin, appearing as *shanks-naig* in 1774. It refers to the use of *shank* to denote the part of the human leg between the knee and the ankle. The term implies that in the absence of a literal horse, one’s own limbs must suffice for the journey. (disputed)

---

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.