2026 is the Year of the Horse! A detailed explanation of four-character idioms related to horses.
How many four-character idioms related to horses can you think of? From familiar ones like “horse’s ear, east wind” (bajitōfū: turning a deaf ear) and “Saiō losing his horse” (saiō shitsu ba: a blessing in disguise) to lesser-known expressions, there’s a wealth of idioms featuring horses.
Horses have long been close to people’s lives, and their form and nature have been etched into many words.
In this article, we highlight common four-character idioms that you can use in everyday conversation and business settings.
Once you learn their meanings and usage, you’ll find yourself nodding in agreement at the depth of the language.
Put them to use to boost your vocabulary!
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2026 is the Year of the Horse! A detailed explanation of four-character idioms related to horses (11–20)
gluttony; to eat and drink like a horse (lit. “drinking like a whale and eating like a horse”)
It’s an expression that vividly conveys the act of eating and drinking to an extraordinary degree by likening it to animals.
Just as a whale drinks vast amounts of water, it describes someone downing alcohol, and just as a horse consumes large quantities of feed, it depicts someone taking in a lot of food—capturing the idea of binge drinking and overeating.
It emphasizes not only the sheer amount but also the voracious pace, carrying a subtle message to value one’s meals.
By comparing it to large animals and their behavior, it prompts deeper reflection on one’s own overindulgence in food and drink.
In conclusion
We’ve introduced a number of four-character idioms related to horses—did any of them ring a bell? Horses, which have had a deep connection with humans since ancient times, appear in many classical sayings and four-character idioms. From commonly used ones to slightly rarer expressions, knowing them can greatly enrich your conversations and writing. If any term piqued your interest, be sure to look it up in detail and try using it in everyday conversation!