shank's pony
Definition
Noun (informal, humorous) * One's own legs and feet as a means of transportation. This phrase refers to the act of walking, especially when it is the only available or chosen method of travel, often contrasted with using a vehicle or animal.
Usage
This term is used to describe the act of walking in a lighthearted or slightly old-fashioned way. It is often employed when referring to a journey made on foot, particularly one that might be long or tiring, or when other transport is unavailable. * Common Structure: "to travel/go by/on/use shank's pony"
Examples
- With the car broken down, we had to resort to shank's pony to get to the village.
- "How are you getting to the station?" – "I'm using shank's pony; it's only a ten-minute walk."
- After the bus left without him, his only option was a long trek on shank's pony.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can be used in a self-deprecating manner to emphasize that one walked instead of using more convenient transport.
- We couldn't find a taxi, so it was good old shank's pony for us.
Variants and Related Words
- Shank's mare (noun): An exact synonym with identical meaning and usage.
- The last mile of the hike was done on shank's mare.
Synonyms
- On foot: The standard, neutral phrase for walking.
- By foot: A common alternative to "on foot".
- Hoofing it (informal): To walk, especially over a long distance.
Related Idioms
- To leg it (informal): To run away or to travel on foot quickly.
- When the alarm went off, they had to leg it.
- To go by the shoe-leather express (humorous): Another jocular phrase for walking.
- No buses run this late, so it's the shoe-leather express for me.
Noun
- you own legs
- I traveled on shank's mare
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