I heard the news straight from the horse's mouth.
straight from the horse's mouth
idiomDirectly from the source; firsthand.
Origin
disputed originThis idiom comes from British horse-racing circles, likely because the presumed ideal source for racing tips would be the horse rather than spectators or riders.
She told me she was quitting, so I heard it straight from the horse's mouth.
To avoid any rumors, the director addressed the staff directly, ensuring they received the policy changes straight from the horse's mouth.
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all mouth and no trousers
Alternative form of all mouth and trousers.
- 02
all mouth and trousers
Superficial, engaging in empty, boastful talk, but not of real substance.
- 03
all one's taste is in one's mouth
One lacks good taste in aesthetic or cultural matters.
- 04
bad taste in one's mouth
A feeling that something is morally despicable as to cause nausea.
- 05
big mouth
The mouth of someone who talks too much, especially by making exaggerated claims or by inappropriately revealing information.
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born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
Born rich, or into a wealthy family.
- 07
butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth
The identified person appears to be benign, mild-mannered, or calm (but with an integral suggestion that, to the contrary, they really are untrustworthy, disagreeable, or mean-spirited).
- 08
damn straight
Without doubt, certainly, for sure.
Last updated July 12, 2026