Etymology:
- This idiom originates from the 12th century when the main source of transportation was horses. The rider of the horse was well aware of the thirst of horse after a long distance especially on a hot day. Although you could take the horse to the cool banks of water, but that doesn’t mean that the horse will drink for sure. This expression has been used for centuries to refer to people who do things their own way even though you give them an opportunity or try to persuade them.
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There are various jobs available in our company, but he hasn’t applied for any of them. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.
Submitted on February 25, 2019
Additional definitions for 'You Can Lead a Horse to Water but You Can't Make Him Drink':
| you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink | You can show someone how to do something, but you can't make them do it. |
Translation
Find a translation for the You Can Lead a Horse to Water but You Can't Make Him Drink phrase in other languages:
můžete vést koně k vodě, ale nemůžete ho donutit pít
puedes llevar un caballo al agua pero no puedes obligarlo a beber
vous pouvez conduire un cheval à l'eau mais vous ne pouvez pas le faire boire
vezetheted a lovat vízhez, de nem tudod megidézni
puoi condurre un cavallo all'acqua ma non puoi farlo bere
אתה יכול להוביל סוס למים אבל אתה לא יכול לגרום לו לשתות
je kunt een paard naar water leiden, maar je kunt hem niet laten drinken
atı suya götürebilirsin ama içmesini sağlayamazsın
ти можеш водити коня до води, але ти не можеш змусити його пити
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Nearby phrases
Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to You Can Lead a Horse to Water but You Can't Make Him Drink
you are awesome that's why i blossomץyou and whose armyyou can't fight city hallyou beautyyou betyou attract more flies with honey than …you ask me, I ask whoyou can't put a wise head on young shou…you can't polish a turdyou can't always get what you wantyou can't be half pregnantyou can hang your hat on thatyou can't keep a good man downyou can catch more flies with honey tha…
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"You Can Lead a Horse to Water but You Can't Make Him Drink." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Web. 30 Nov. 2023. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/you-can-lead-a-horse-to-water-but-you-cant-make-him-drink_45143>.
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