Hold Your Horses

William: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. My name is William Kremer. Li: And I'm Li. William, what's our phrase today? William: Well, hold on a second Li, let me just play you - Li: No, come on, tell me now – what phrase are we looking at today? William: Well, We'll come onto that in a minute But I've got some very special FX for You... Li: More special FX?! And special music? That's not what our people want! They Want authentic English phrases, and they want them now! So what's our Phrase today? William: Li, hold your horses! Li: Eh? William: Hold your horses. It means: be patient. Li: Oh... where does this phrase come from, William? William: Well, apparently it comes from battles in times of war: Example FX – Battle re-enactment noise Man: Hold your horses men! FX – gunfire, horses whinnying Li: Wow, Will, your FX this week are really special! William: Hmmm, I know! In that clip we heard a soldier telling his men to hold their Horses before he started firing weapons. Li: But nowadays, I am guessing, You don't need to be a soldier to use this Phrase, right? William: Exactly, yes. It means: don't rush, Be patient. Let's hear a couple of examples: Examples Man: I've just gone online to order Us some new computers. What's our charge Code again? Woman: Ah, well you're going to have to Hold your horses! I haven't agreed a budget Yet with the management team. Man: I've just spoken to Mark – Woman: Have you indeed? Well don't listen to a word that man says! He's never liked Me... Man: Hey, hey hey! Hold your horses. We didn't discuss you at all, as a matter of Fact. Li: So in that first example, The man couldn't order his computers yet because the Company hadn't agreed a budget. He had to wait; he had to hold his horses. William: Hmm. And in the second example it was slightly different. In that clip we Heard a woman interrupt the man Because she thought she knew what he was Going to say. Li: Ah yes, The man told her to hold her horse and wait for him to finish Speaking. William: Ah, yeah, But Li we never say "Hold your horse" we always say "Hold your Horses". Li: Oh OK, I'll bear it in mind. But, er, Will...? William: Yeah? Li: Can you hold this for me please? Horse whinnying