carriage

carriage and pair

A carriage being pulled by two horses. Yes, sir, Lady Edith is approaching now in a carriage and pair. A: "How on earth will I get to town in time?" B: "I'm sure Henry can take you in a carriage and pair." Madam, the carriage and pair is ready whenever you wish to leave.

See also: and, carriage, pair

go the way of the horse and carriage

To become outdated or obsolete (like traveling by horse and carriage). The prevalence of cell phones today has caused landlines to go the way of the horse and carriage in most homes. Handwritten letters have gone the way of the horse and carriage, which I think is a terrible shame. What am I going to do with my cassette collection now that cassette tapes have gone the way of the horse and carriage?

See also: and, carriage, go, horse, of, way

horse and buggy

A horse-drawn carriage. The phrase is often used to emphasize that something is outdated (much like the horse and buggy itself). I'm sorry, Grandma, but shag carpeting has definitely gone the way of the horse and buggy. The prevalence of cell phones today has caused landlines to go the way of the horse and buggy in most homes. Handwritten letters have gone the way of the horse and buggy, which I think is a terrible shame.

See also: and, buggy, horse

horse and carriage

A horse-drawn carriage. The phrase is often used to emphasize that something is outdated (much like the horse and carriage itself). I'm sorry, Grandma, but shag carpeting has definitely gone the way of the horse and carriage. The prevalence of cell phones today has caused landlines to go the way of the horse and carriage in most homes. Handwritten letters have gone the way of the horse and carriage, which I think is a terrible shame.

See also: and, carriage, horse

the carriage trade

Affluent patrons of a store, restaurant, or other such establishment. The name refers to the usual mode of transportation for wealthy people in bygone eras. Don't worry about this slight economic downturn—the carriage trade will keep us in business.

See also: carriage, trade

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

horse and buggy

 and horse and carriage; buggy whip

Fig. a carriage pulled by a horse, as opposed to a modern automobile; the horse was urged on with a whip. (A symbol of old-fashionedness or out-of-dateness. Particularly with go out with, as in the examples.) That kind of clothing went out with the horse and buggy. I thought suspenders went out with the horse and carriage, but I see them everywhere now.

See also: and, buggy, horse

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

carriage trade

The best customers. Restaurants, stores, and other establishments were especially pleased to serve wealthy customers who arrived and departed in their own private horse and carriage, as distinguished from people who came and went by foot or public transportation. It was the purchasing power of the carriage trade that produced a reaction from the establishment's personnel that was solicitous to the point of obsequiousness.

See also: carriage, trade

Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price Copyright © 2011 by Steven D. Price