when you hear hoofbeats, look for horses, not zebras
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Alternative form of when you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “when you hear hoofbeats, look for horses, not zebras” mean?
Alternative form of when you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.
Is “when you hear hoofbeats, look for horses, not zebras” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.