hold your horses

The phrase "hold your horses" is an idiomatic expression that means to stop or refrain from acting hastily or impatiently. It is often used to advise someone to be patient, calm down, or wait for a moment before taking action. The origin of this phrase can be traced back to when people used horses as their mode of transportation. Riders would have to hold back or rein in their horses when they were too eager to move forward. Over time, the phrase "hold your horses" adopted a metaphorical meaning to encourage individuals to exercise patience and restraint in various situations.