change horses in midstream

English

Alternative forms

• swap horses in midstream
• change horses in mid-stream

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU):

  (file)

Verb

change horses in midstream

1. (idiomatic) To change one's plan or approach when an effort is already underway or at another inopportune time.

Usage notes

Often used as a caution: "don't change horses in midstream".

Translations

to change one's plan when an effort is already underway

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 半途而廢／半途而废 (zh) (bàntú'érfèi), 半途而废 (zh) (bàntúérfèi)

• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Russian: меня́ть коне́й на перепра́ве (menjátʹ konéj na perepráve)