midstream

Don't change horses at midstream.

1. Proverb Do not try to choose or back a different political figure for an election after the decision has already been made or the position filled. Many people are dissatisfied with the senator's performance but will likely carry his party's support through to the next election—don't change horses in midstream, as the saying goes.2. Proverb By extension, do not make major changes to a situation or course of action that is already underway. I'm really not confident in the strength of my essay, but I guess I just have to see this one through at this point. Like they say, don't change horses at midstream.See also: change, horse

Don't swap horses at midstream.

1. Proverb Do not try to choose or back a different political figure for an election after the decision has already been made or the position filled. Many people are dissatisfied with the senator's performance but will likely carry his party's support through to the next election—don't swap horses at midstream, as the saying goes.2. Proverb By extension, do not make major changes to a situation or course of action that is already underway. I'm really not confident in the strength of my essay, but I guess I just have to see this one through at this point. Like they say, don't swap horses at midstream.See also: horse, swap

swap horses in midstream

1. To choose a new leader during a period of upheaval or uncertainty. The prime minister has been at the helm throughout the crisis. I just don't think we should swap horses in midstream.2. To make major changes to a situation or course of action that is already underway. We're about to close on the house, and my husband suddenly wants to swap horses in midstream and look at another property!See also: horse, midstream, swap

change horses in midstream

1. To choose a new leader during a period of upheaval or uncertainty. The prime minister has been at the helm throughout the crisis. I just don't think we should change horses in midstream.2. To make major changes to a situation or course of action that is already underway. We're about to close on the house, and my husband suddenly wants to change horses in midstream and look at another property!See also: change, horse, midstream

in midstream

In the middle of an active or ongoing activity. Likened to happening while one is in the middle of crossing a stream. The lecturer paused in midstream during class, appearing to be lost in thought, before suddenly grabbing his bag and leaving in a rush.See also: midstream

Don't change horses in midstream.

change horses in midstream

and change horses in the middle of the streamFig. to make major changes in an activity that has already begun; to choose someone or something else after it is too late. (Alludes to someone trying to move from one horse to another while crossing a stream.) I'm already baking a cherry pie. I can't bake an apple pie. It's too late to change horses in the middle of the stream. The house is half-built. It's too late to hire a different architect. You can't change horses in midstream. Jane: I've written a rough draft of my research paper, but the topic doesn't interest me as much as I thought. Maybe I ought to pick a different one. Jill: Don't change horses in midstream.See also: change, horse, midstream

change horses in midstream, don't

Also, don't swap horses in midstream. It's unwise to alter methods or choose new leaders during a crisis, as in I don't hold with getting a new manager right now-let's not swap horses in midstream. This expression was popularized (although not originated) by Abraham Lincoln in a speech in 1864 when he discovered that the National Union League was supporting him for a second term as President. See also: change, horse

change horses in midstream

switch horses in midstream

If someone changes horses in midstream or switches horses in midstream, they stop using one method or thing and start using another one, or they stop supporting one person and start supporting someone else. I think we were very wise not to change horses in midstream. Note: You can also just say that someone changes horses or switches horses. Andersson is angered at the way Taylor initially supported the deal, only to switch horses later and back the opposing bid. Note: These expressions are often used to advise someone against doing one of these things. Note: The American President Abraham Lincoln used this expression in 1864, `I am reminded of the story of an old Dutch farmer, who remarked to a companion that it was best not to swap horses when crossing streams.' See also: change, horse, midstream

don't change horses in midstream

choose a sensible moment to change your mind. proverb This expression is quoted by Abraham Lincoln in 1864 as the saying of ‘an old Dutch farmer’. Early versions of it used swap instead of change .See also: change, horse, midstream

in midstream

1 in the middle of a stream or river. 2 (of an activity or process, especially one that is interrupted) part-way through its course; unfinished.See also: midstream

change/swap horses in midˈstream

change to a different or new activity while you are in the middle of something else; change from supporting one person or thing to another: ‘I don’t believe in changing horses in midstream,’ he said. ‘Give this policy a chance before you think of changing it.’See also: change, horse, midstream, swap

in midˈstream

in the middle of doing something or while something is still happening: The speaker stopped in midstream, coughed, then started up again. ♢ She interrupted him in midstream.See also: midstream

don't change/swap horses in midstream

Don’t change methods or leaders in the middle of a crisis. Although originating a quarter of a century earlier, the expression became famous through its use by President Lincoln in 1864 when he learned that his renomination for a second term was being backed by the National Union League. Several versions of his speech were recorded, some having it change and others swap.See also: change, horse, midstream, swap

midstream

mid·stream

midstream

mid•stream

midstream

Don't change horses at midstream.

Don't swap horses at midstream.

swap horses in midstream

change horses in midstream

in midstream

Don't change horses in midstream.

change horses in midstream

change horses in midstream, don't

change horses in midstream

switch horses in midstream

don't change horses in midstream

in midstream

change/swap horses in midˈstream

in midˈstream

don't change/swap horses in midstream

midstream

Words related to midstream

noun the middle of a stream

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