plow horse
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - A horse used to pull a plow. This term refers specifically to a horse whose primary work is to draw a plow for tilling soil in agriculture.
Usage
The term "plow horse" is used to describe a type of draft horse bred and trained for farm labor, particularly plowing fields. It emphasizes the animal's function.
Examples
- The farmer relied on his sturdy plow horse to prepare the fields each spring.
- Before tractors were common, the plow horse was essential to agriculture.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used metaphorically to describe a person or thing that performs steady, reliable, and unglamorous hard work.
- In the office, he was the plow horse, handling the tedious but critical reports.
Variants and Related Words
- Plough horse: The British English spelling variant.
- Draft horse (US) / Draught horse (UK): A broader category for horses used for pulling heavy loads, which includes plow horses.
- Workhorse: A more general term for an animal or person that performs a large amount of hard work.
Synonyms
- Farm horse
- Draft horse (in the specific context of plowing)
Antonyms
- Racehorse (a horse bred for speed and racing, not labor)
- Show horse (a horse bred and trained for exhibition, not work)
Related Idioms
- Work like a horse: To work very hard. While not containing "plow horse," this idiom relates to the concept of equine labor.
- She works like a horse to support her family.