# swap horses in midstream

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/swap-horses-in-midstream
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Alternative form of change horses in midstream.

## Examples

- It is dangerous to swap horses in midstream during a crisis.
- We are already halfway through the project, so it is not the right time to swap horses in midstream.
- Although the current leadership faced significant criticism, the board decided that to swap horses in midstream would only exacerbate the company's instability.

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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.