shank's mare

Thân thiện

I traveled across town on shank's mare.

Definition

Noun: - One's own legs and feet as a means of transportation: The phrase "shank's mare" (also commonly "shank's pony") is a humorous or informal idiom referring to the act of walking, emphasizing the use of one's own legs rather than a vehicle or animal for travel.

Usage

The term is used to indicate that a journey was made or will be made by walking. It often carries a tone of self-reliance, frugality, or necessity. - With the car broken down, I had to resort to shank's mare to get to the village. - "How are you getting to the station?" "I'm taking shank's mare; it's only a mile."

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is typically used in the construction "by shank's mare" or "on shank's mare," functioning as an adverbial phrase.
  • The best way to see the old town is by shank's mare.
  • We explored the entire island on shank's mare.

Variants and Related Words

• Shank's pony: An identical variant with the same meaning and usage.
  • We'll be using shank's pony for the tour.

Synonyms

• On foot: The standard, non-idiomatic equivalent.
• By foot: A common alternative phrasing.
• Walking: The direct verb form.

Related Idioms

• To hoof it: Another informal idiom meaning to walk, especially a long distance.
  • The bus never came, so we had to hoof it all the way home.

Học thuật

Noun

1. you own legs
   • I traveled on shank's mare

Từ đồng nghĩa

• shanks' mare
• shank's pony
• shanks' pony