Don't change horses in midstream.

1. proverb Do not try to choose or back a different political figure for an election after the decision has already been made or the position filled. Many people are dissatisfied with the senator's performance, but he will likely carry his party's support through to the next election—don't change horses in midstream, as the saying goes. The prime minister has been at the helm throughout the crisis. My thought is, don't change horses in midstream. Yes, wartime presidents are often reelected. "Don't change horses in midstream," as they say.

2. proverb By extension, do not make major changes to a situation or course of action that is already underway. I'm really not confident in the strength of my essay, but I guess I just have to see this one through at this point. Like they say, don't change horses in midstream. If you're about to close on a house, don't change horses in midstream and start looking at other properties! If you want your contractors to be able to keep track of everything, don't change horses in midstream and continually alter the renovation plans!

Don't swap horses in midstream.

1. proverb Do not try to choose or back a different political figure for an election after the decision has already been made or the position filled. Many people are dissatisfied with the senator's performance but will likely carry his party's support through to the next election—don't swap horses in midstream, as the saying goes. The prime minister has been at the helm throughout the crisis. My thought is, don't swap horses in midstream. Yes, wartime presidents are often reelected. "Don't swap horses in midstream," as they say.

2. proverb By extension, do not make major changes to a situation or course of action that is already underway. I'm really not confident in the strength of my essay, but I guess I just have to see this one through at this point. Like they say, swap change horses in midstream. If you're about to close on a house, don't swap horses in midstream and start looking at other properties! If you want your contractors to be able to keep track of everything, don't swap horses in midstream and continually alter the renovation plans!

don't change/swap horses in midstream

Don’t change methods or leaders in the middle of a crisis. Although originating a quarter of a century earlier, the expression became famous through its use by President Lincoln in 1864 when he learned that his renomination for a second term was being backed by the National Union League. Several versions of his speech were recorded, some having it change and others swap.

See also: change, horse, midstream, swap

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