scare the horses

Definitions

To upset public order, decorum, or conventional values.

Examples

“Invisible no-makeup makeup. Don't want⟳ to scare⟳ the horses. Okay, deep breath: the tube.”

“The core value of paganism was religious tolerance — a man or woman in ancient Rome was at liberty to offer⟳ to offer⟳ worship⟳ to whatever god or goddess seemed most likely to grant a prayerful request⟳, with or without the assistance of priests and priestesses as long as he or she didn't do it in the streets, as a Victorian-era wit once said of women preachers, and scare⟳ the horses.”

“Preaching in such an environment would seem to be easy, and Willimon could claim⟳ success by following the advice not to scare⟳ the horses.”

“An English friend once said to me, “Meditation is decidedly foreign. not to be done in polite society. Rather like⟳ sex, it scares the horses!” In my opinion, the truth is the opposite: it does not scare⟳ the horses, and we should not be afraid of it.”

“"It's no use⟳ being radical if you can't present⟳ your ideas sensibly.” “Don't scare⟳ the horses."”

CEFR level