pony
a small horse of any of several breeds, usually not higher at the shoulder than 14½ hands (58 inches/146 centimeters).
a horse of any small type or breed.
Slang. a literal translation or other text, used illicitly as an aid in schoolwork or while taking a test; crib.
something small of its kind.
a small glass for liquor.
the amount of liquor it will hold, usually one ounce (29.6 milliliters).
a small beverage bottle, often holding seven ounces (196 grams): We bought a dozen ponies of Mexican beer.
Older Slang. a diminutive chorus girl.
British Slang. the sum of 25 pounds.
Slang. to prepare (lessons) by means of a pony.
Racing Slang.
to be the outrider for (a racehorse).
to exercise (a racehorse) by having a rider mounted on another horse lead it at a gallop around a track.
to prepare a lesson or lessons with the aid of a pony.
Idioms about pony
pony up, Informal. to pay (money), as in settling an account: Next week you'll have to pony up the balance of the loan.
Origin of pony
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use pony in a sentence
And hopefully all that history (not to mention a little luck with the ponies) will only make it that much sweeter.
Even show ponies are not exempt from ending up in a narrowing chute that feeds the condemned in single file into the “stun box.”
Mini ponies go for a cool $4,000 if purchased from a specialist breeder.
How Different Is Raising the Royal Baby From a Typical American Child? | Kevin Fallon, Lizzie Crocker | July 23, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe company travels with a miniature herd of ponies, and when they suddenly disappear, we are told the ponies “bolted.”
‘The Hobbit’: 19 Changes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Novel to Peter Jackson’s Movie | Anna Klassen | December 14, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTWith many clubhouses turning to other games of chance, can playing the ponies ever return to its heyday?
It’s Kentucky Derby Day, but What About the Rest of Horse Racing? | Dan Packel | May 5, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
The general ensemble of war-paint and spotted ponies was enough for me; I didn't need to be told that it was my move.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairThe Korean ponies are small, fine-coated animals, little larger than Shetland ponies.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeThe servants were late in bringing around the ponies, and the process of loading them was a very slow one.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeThis mob of men and boys were good-natured, but very curious, and it gathered so close as to impede the progress of the ponies.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeLeaving the ponies in charge of the mapus, they marched up the hill to get a nearer sight of the tree.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. Pike
British Dictionary definitions for pony
/ (ˈpəʊnɪ) /
any of various breeds of small horse, usually under 14.2 hands
a small drinking glass, esp for liqueurs
the amount held by such a glass
anything small of its kind
British slang a sum of £25, esp in bookmaking
Also called: trot US slang a literal translation used by students, often illicitly, in preparation for foreign language lessons or examinations; crib
Origin of pony
1- See also pony up
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with pony
In addition to the idioms beginning with pony
- pony up
also see:
- dog-and-pony show
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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