pony

dog and pony show

Fig. a display, demonstration, or exhibition of something-such as something one is selling. (As in a circus act where trained dogs leap onto and off of trained ponies.) Gary went into his standard dog and pony show, trying to sell us on an upgrade to our software. Don't you get tired of running through the same old dog and pony show at every trade show?

See also: and, dog, show

play the ponies and play the horses

to wager on horse races. I used to play the ponies every afteroon during the summer. Then Iran out of money.

See also: play

---

a dog and pony show  (American)

a show or other event that has been organized in order to get people's support or to persuade them to buy something The film is part of the dog and pony show the company puts on for the benefit of foreign journalists.

See also: and, dog, show

Shanks's pony  (British, American & Australian old-fashioned) also Shank's mare (American old-fashioned)

walking as a method of travel I missed the last bus and had to get home on Shanks's pony.

---

pony up (something)

to pay money The price of gas increased and homeowners had to pony up more than anyone expected this winter.

Related vocabulary: come up with something

See also: up