Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small breed of horse: A pony is a type of horse that is typically small in stature, usually under 14.2 hands (about 58 inches or 147 cm) high at the shoulder. They are known for being sturdy and often gentle.
   • A small serving of alcohol: Informally, a pony can refer to a small glass used for liquor, holding a single swallow.
   • A crib or trot (for translation): In educational contexts, especially informal or illicit ones, a pony is a literal translation or a study aid used to help with a foreign language text.
   • A racehorse: In informal slang, particularly in the context of betting, a pony can refer to a racehorse.
   • A Western range horse: In the context of the western United States, a pony can refer to a horse used on a ranch or range.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Small Horse):
  • The children learned to ride on a gentle Shetland pony.
  • She owns a beautiful Welsh pony.
• Noun (Small Glass):
  • He downed a pony of whiskey in one gulp.
• Noun (Translation Aid):
  • He didn't study the text, he just used a pony for the Latin assignment.
• Noun (Racehorse):
  • He spends every Saturday at the track betting on the ponies.

Advanced Usage

• "Pony up" (Phrasal Verb): To pay money owed, especially reluctantly.
  • Come on, it's your turn to pony up for the pizza.
• "Dog and pony show" (Idiom): An elaborate presentation or marketing event, often seen as superficial or overly flashy.
  • The sales conference was just a big dog and pony show.

Variants and Related Words

• Pony express (noun, historical): A system of mail delivery in the 19th-century American West using relays of riders on horses.
• Pony-tailed (adjective): Having hair tied in a ponytail.
  • She had long, pony-tailed hair.

Synonyms

• Small horse: colt (young male horse), foal (very young horse), nag (informal, often for an old horse).
• Crib/trot: cheat sheet, translation aid, key.
• Racehorse: steed, mount, runner.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pony up: To pay or settle a debt (as defined above).

Related Idioms

• Dog and pony show: An elaborate presentation (as defined above).
• On one's high horse / Get off one's high horse: To be/stop being arrogant or condescending. (Note: This idiom uses "horse," not "pony," but is a related equine idiom).

Noun

1. any of various breeds of small gentle horses usually less than five feet high at the shoulder
2. a small glass adequate to hold a single swallow of whiskey
3. a literal translation used in studying a foreign language (often used illicitly)
4. an informal term for a racehorse
   • he liked to bet on the ponies
5. a range horse of the western United States