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AI for Breakfast
Post 109 - It’s the weekend - Idiom of the day
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
Figurative Meaning
The idiom "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" means that you can provide someone with an opportunity or explain how to do something, but you cannot force them to take action if they are unwilling or uninterested.
Typical Usage
This phrase is often used to express the frustration or resignation felt when someone fails to take advantage of an opportunity or ignores advice. It's typically invoked in situations where one person has done all they can to help another, but the outcome is still dependent on the other's actions, which they cannot control.
Origin
The earliest recorded use of this proverb dates back to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest English proverbs still in use today. The first written version is found in the Old English Homilies (c. 1175): "Hwa is thet mei thet hors wettrien the him self nule drinken" [Who can give water to the horse that will not drink of its own accord?].
The proverb uses the imagery of leading a horse to water—a basic and necessary task for those caring for livestock—to illustrate the limits of influence and guidance. The phrase's longevity and continued use suggest a universally understood truth about human nature and the limits of persuasion.
