drive a coach and horses through (something)

To expose the flaws in something, such as a statement, argument, or belief. Primarily heard in UK. The suspect had said he wasn't there that night but then drove a coach and horses through that idea with today's contradictory statement. I hate to drive a coach and horses through your argument against relocating, but the cost of living actually isn't that high there. Before I offer up my own proposals, let me begin by driving a coach and horses through my opponent's plan.

See also: and, coach, drive, horse, through

drive a coach and horses through something

mainly BRITISH

If you drive a coach and horses through an agreement or an established way of doing something, you destroy it or change it completely. The judgment appeared to drive a coach and horses through the Hague agreement. Ministers are driving a coach and horses through the plans.

See also: and, coach, drive, horse, something, through

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

drive a coach and ˈhorses through something

succeed in avoiding certain rules, conditions, etc. in an obvious and important way, without being punished: The wage increase we’ve been given is three times the government’s limit. We’ve driven a coach and horses right through their pay policy.

See also: and, coach, drive, horse, something, through

See also: