A Horse Of A Different Color: Meaning & Origin Revealed

The phrase “a horse of a different color” is an idiom that means something that is completely different from something else. It’s typically used to compare two things that are totally different, especially if it is different in a new or unexpected way.

The Origins of the Phrase “A Horse Of A Different Color”

This phrase originated in the year 1602 when Shakespeare wrote the play Twelfth Night. In the play, the character Maria states, “My purpose is, indeed, a horse of that colour,” confirming that her plan is as someone else has stated. From that phrase, the idiom “a horse of a different color” developed to show when someone’s purpose would not be a horse of “that colour.”

It should be noted that the phrase “a horse of a different color” is most commonly used in the US. In the UK, the phrase is similar but different: “a horse of another color.”

Examples of Everyday Use of the Phrase “A Horse Of A Different Color”

This phrase can be used in many situations and for many different topics. They can be used to compare people. For example, if person A is very free-spirited and person B is very logical, you might say that either one is a horse of different color. You could also use it to describe subjects in school. For example, you could say that you really like English as a subject, but grammar class is a horse of a different color. This is also a great phrase to use in business. You can use it to describe two different marketing campaigns, buyout offers, or even economic strategies.

A Useful Way To Illustrate The Phrase “A Horse Of A Different Color”

The following is a fictional story that helps to describe a situation in which you might use the phrase “a horse of a different color.”

Let’s say that you are planning a dinner for Thanksgiving, and your friend tells you they will bring a dessert. However, when they show up, they actually brought a full turkey dinner complete with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and no dessert. You might exclaim, “Well, that is a horse of a different color!” to explain how this is an unexpected development and how it is completely unrelated to your friend’s original claim that they were only going to bring a dessert.

A Real-Life Example From Essence

In 2020, an article on Essence Magazine’s website described the divorce between Tamar Braxton and Vince Herbert. Tamar’s mother described Vince by saying, “Everybody saw Vince as a knight in shining armor,” but that “behind closed doors, that’s a horse of a different color.” That means that in public, he seemed great, but in private, things were more difficult.

Possible Pros and Cons of Using the Phrase “A Horse Of A Different Color”

The phrase “a horse of a different color” is pretty harmless to use and is usually not offensive. However, like in the real-life example from above, it can be used to describe something that seems harmless or pleasant but is actually nefarious or treacherous. In that case, it might be taken as offensive by the person you are trying to describe. However, this phrase can be used in so many situations, and in most of them, it has no offensive connotations.

Phrases With a Similar Meaning to “A Horse Of A Different Color”

There are a few phrases that have a similar meaning to “a horse of a different color,” including:

• A kettle of fish.
• A different breed of cat.
• Another tune.

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