Don't change horses at 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 at midstream, as the saying goes. The prime minister has been at the helm throughout the crisis. My thought is, don't change horses at midstream. Yes, wartime presidents are often reelected. "Don't change horses at 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 at midstream. If you're about to close on a house, don't change horses at midstream and start looking at other properties! If you want your contractors to be able to keep track of everything, don't change horses at midstream and continually alter the renovation plans!

See also: change, horse

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!

See also: change, horse

Don't change horses 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 midstream, as the saying goes. The prime minister has been at the helm throughout the crisis. My thought is, don't change horses midstream. Yes, wartime presidents are often reelected. "Don't change horses 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 midstream. If you're about to close on a house, don't change horses midstream and start looking at other properties! If you want your contractors to be able to keep track of everything, don't change horses midstream and continually alter the renovation plans!

See also: change, horse

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!

have a midlife crisis

To experience profound doubt, anxiety, dissatisfaction, despondency, etc., during or near middle age regarding one's decisions or position in life up to that point. People, especially men, are commonly portrayed responding to this phenomenon by making drastic or extravagant changes or purchases in an attempt to bring novelty or excitement to their lives. Uncle Joe quit his job and bought a yellow convertible? Yikes, he's definitely having a midlife crisis. After 20 years stuck in the same job and the same routine at home, I feel like I'm having a midlife crisis. Maybe I'll sell my possessions and move to Japan! Wait, she's seriously selling all of her belongings and moving to the Bahamas, just like that? Is she having a midlife crisis?

in midair

Moving through the air. One of their players was able to intercept the ball in midair and the score a touchdown. Look at this great picture I've got of you in midair! And here's one from right when you hit the water. Whoa! Is that a bald eagle in midair?

midlife crisis

A period in or near middle age in which one experiences profound doubt, anxiety, dissatisfaction, despondency, etc., regarding one's decisions or position in life. People, especially men, are commonly portrayed responding to this phenomenon by making drastic or extravagant changes or purchases in an attempt to bring novelty or excitement to their lives. A: "Did you see the new sports car Tom bought?" B: "Yeah, he must be going through a midlife crisis." After 20 years stuck in the same job and the same routine at home, I feel like I'm having a midlife crisis. Maybe I'll sell my possessions and move to Japan!

only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun

Used as a warning regarding the extreme midday heat in certain places. The expression, believed to be coined by Rudyard Kipling, was popularized as a line in the 1931 song "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" Noel Coward, mocking the behavior of the English when in hot countries, especially former colonies of the British Empire. Oh no, everything shuts down around here in the afternoon. It's just too hot! Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

See also: and, dog, Englishman, go, mad, out, sun

silly mid off

cricket

1. A fielding position very close to and opposite the leg side of the batsman. The bowler is a spinner, so we'll want someone playing the silly mid off in case the batsman plays a bad shot.

2. A fielder playing this position. The silly mid off just made an excellent play on that wonky hit by the batsman.

silly mid on

cricket

1. A fielding position very close to and on the leg side of the batsman. The bowler is a spinner, so we'll want someone playing the silly mid off in case the batsman plays a bad shot.

2. A fielder playing this position. The silly mid off just made an excellent play on that wonky hit by the batsman.

You don't change horses mid-race.

proverb It is dangerous or inadvisable 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—you don't change horses mid-race, as the saying goes.

See also: change, horse

in midair

in a point high in the air. The planes crashed in midair. Extra fuel was released from the plane in midair.

midlife crisis

A time of psychological anxiety that some individuals experience during their middle years. It can affect both men and women. In men, it sometimes takes the form of buying an expensive sports car or other equipment that emphasizes their youthfulness or fantasizing about beautiful young girls. Women may go on crash diets or undergo plastic surgery to regain a more youthful appearance. When the author’s son-in-law turned fifty, his wife reported that his midlife crisis involved looking for a bigger and better house, an unrealistic choice since their children were already enrolled in local schools. The term has also been transferred to institutions, countries, almost anything. An article by Russell Garland had, “Venture capital is having a midlife crisis. . . . The venture community in Silicon Valley is showing signs of middle age, moving more slowly and cautiously than before. . . .” (Wall Street Journal blog, July 23, 2010).