Back when only the rich and powerful could ride around on huge expensive horses, towering above the lower classes, the expression “to be on a high horse” had something to do with actual social superiority.
Nowadays, when everyone is theoretically equal to everybody else, the man, woman, or nation that assumes a position of social or moral superiority is said to be “on a high horse.”
Asia to the West: Get Off Your High Horse
Buffett Finally Falls Off His High Horse
Johnny Miller continues to sit on his high horse from the 18th tower
But could it possibly be that Scott Boras, the man who thought he was bigger than the World Series, is finally getting thrown from his high horse?
Mel Gibson Gets On His High Horse About Sequels
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid got on his high horse in the Senate on Wednesday afternoon
Clegg falls off his high horse
Get off your Windows high horse: Try something new
One Response
Maeve,
I thought that a good, succinct, and correct analysis of the history and current use of the term “on a high horse.”