Explaining “Hold your horses”

What does it mean?

The phrase "Hold your horses" means to slow down or wait, often used when someone is being impatient or hasty.

Tone

Origin

The origin of the phrase dates back to a time when horses were essential for transportation and various tasks. It literally meant to stop and hold the reins to prevent the horses from moving forward too quickly. The phrase emerged in the United States during the 19th century, originally as "hold your hosses," with "hoss" being a colloquial term for horse.