ENGLISH
REFERENCE

white rider

idiom
Meaning

Conquest or Pestilence, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.


Origin

disputed origin

A reference to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, as the rider of a white horse is Conquest/Pestilence.

Examples
SIMPLE

The ancient painting shows the white rider on a pale horse.

CONTEXTUAL

Many scholars interpret the white rider as a symbol of conquest appearing before the end of the world.

COMPLEX

In the final book of the Bible, the white rider emerges from the opened seal, carrying a bow and wearing a crown of victory.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    black rider

    Famine, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

  2. 02

    pale rider

    Death, the Grim Reaper or angel of death; and one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

  3. 03

    red rider

    War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

  4. 04

    wash a blackamoor white

    To labour in vain, especially so as to present something as better than it really is; to whitewash.

  5. 05

    white bread

    Bread made from white flour.

  6. 06

    white coat hypertension

    Elevated blood pressure measured by a medical practitioner and deemed to result from the patient's emotional response to the medical environment.

  7. 07

    white hat

    A good person; a hero.

  8. 08

    white lie

    A deliberately untrue statement which is intended to produce a favorable result; especially, one which is judged to be better than an overhonest alternative, as for example to remain polite in a superficial social exchange, or to choose one's battles.

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