English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink
Meaning
The idiom "you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink" means that you can guide someone towards something, but you cannot force them to do it. It implies that the person has the choice and responsibility to take action or not.
Usage
- As a manager, I tried to motivate my team to complete the project on time, but I couldn't make them work harder. They had already done their part.
- My friend was offered a job in another country, but he declined it because he didn't want to leave his family and friends behind. He had the choice to take the opportunity or not.
- The coach tried to give motivational speeches to the team before the game, but they couldn't perform well on the field. It was not up to him to make them win.
- My brother wanted to become a successful musician, but he didn't practice consistently and never got feedback from professionals. He had the potential, but he didn't work hard enough.
- The teacher gave her students all the resources they needed for their project, but some of them still struggled to complete it. It was not her responsibility to do all the work for them.
Roots and History
The idiom "you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink" is a proverb that dates back to ancient times. In ancient Greece, the philosopher Socrates used this analogy to describe how he could guide people towards knowledge and understanding, but he couldn't force them to accept it. The idiom has since been used in various contexts, including religion, business, and parenting.
Synonyms in English
- You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink milk.
- You can show someone the way, but you can't force them to take it.
- You can lead a horse to the stable, but you can't make him stay there.
- You can guide someone to success, but you can't guarantee it.
- You can point out the opportunities, but you can't make someone seize them.
Synonyms in other languages
- In Spanish: "Puedes llevar un caballo a agua, pero no puedes hacerlo beber."
- In French: "Vous pouvez conduire une cheval à l'eau, mais vous ne pouvez pas faire boire."
- In German: "Du kannst ein Pferd zur Wasserquelle führen, aber du kannst es nicht trinken lassen."
- In Italian: "Puoi guidare un cavallo all'acqua, ma non puoi farlo bere."
- In Chinese: "你可以带水到兔子里面，但不能哄他喝水。"