hitch one's wagon to a star

hitch (one's) wagon to a star

To pursue grand or lofty goals for oneself, often by partnering with someone or something that is already successful or revered. You can do anything you want, so why not hitch your wagon to a star? When I was trying to become a screenwriter, I hitched my wagon to a star by befriending some popular actresses.See also: hitch, star, wagon

hitch one's wagon to a star

Aim high, as in Bill's hitching his wagon to a star-he plans to be a partner by age thirty. This metaphoric expression was invented by essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1870. See also: hitch, star, wagon

hitch one's wagon to a star, to

To aim high. This metaphor was coined by Ralph Waldo Emerson, who in 1870 wrote, “Hitch your wagon to a star. Let us not fag in paltry works which serve our pot and bag alone” (Society and Solitude: Civilization). Ogden Nash played on this cliché in his poem “Kindly Unhitch That Star” (1940).See also: hitch, wagon