Skip to main content

putting the cart before the horse 

"She's buying a lot of new furniture before she has a job. She's putting the cart before the horse.

cart before the horse

Putting the cart before the horse is doing something in the opposite or reverse order, as in "Don't put the cart before the horse."
He put the cart before the horse when he bought the house before he got the loan."

Showing the horse and cart 

To show one's age. When an older person makes a comment or action that refers back to times long since past and shows just how old they are, generally alienating the younger generation a bit in the process.
My grandfather made a reference to Howdy Doody today. Man, was he showing the horse and cart.

Also showing your age

horse and cart 

Another of the many rhyming slang phrases for fart.
Gor luvaduck Phyllis, you should 'ave 'eard me 'usband after 'e came 'ome from the pub last night, wot a bleedin' horse and cart!

carthorsing

Acting in a heedless or foolhardy fashion, particularly when it comes to romance. From the idiom "putting the cart before the horse."
I know inviting her to move in after the first date is totally carthorsing, but I've never felt this strongly about any girl I've seen naked.
carthorsing by chinesedentist February 4, 2012