Back the Wrong Horse: Betting on Blunders
To “back the wrong horse” means to make a wrong guess or choice about a future outcome or support someone or something that ends up being unsuccessful. The phrase hails from the glamorous yet risky world of horse racing—a realm where informed decisions can often lead to riches or rags. Much like the sport, this idiom depicts the bittersweet, sometimes hilarious regret of picking the less-than-perfect option.
Synonyms
- Barking up the wrong tree
- Making a bad call
- Singing to the wrong tune
Antonyms
- Back a winner
- Call the shots
- Hit the nail on the head
Humor-filled Quotes
- “I always back the wrong horse—proves I have an eye for underdogs.” – Muriel Mopestead
- “Life is a racetrack. Just don’t back a donkey in a horse race.” – Anon
Related Proverbs & Expressions
- “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
- “Penny wise, pound foolish.”
- “The early bird catches the worm.”
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
- Book: The Art of Prediction by F. S. Forecasters—Dive into the psychological and historical aspects of betting and predictions.
- Movie: The Color of Money—Paul Newman’s adventure in backing the right (and wrong) horse, metaphorically speaking.
- Song: Loser by Beck—An anthem for those who’ve consistently picked the wrong horse, but wear their missteps with pride.
- Poem: The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost—While not directly about betting, it highlights the importance and impact of choices.
### Which of these means to support the losing side?
- [x] Back the wrong horse
- [ ] Hop on the last wagon
- [ ] Climb the wrong fence
- [ ] Shout into the void
> **Explanation:** "Back the wrong horse" is the correct phrase, implying you've supported the losing option, much to your dismay and potential amusement.
### What is a synonym for "back the wrong horse"?
- [ ] Catch the bull by the horns
- [ ] Jump over the moon
- [x] Bark up the wrong tree
- [ ] Ride shotgun
> **Explanation:** "Bark up the wrong tree" means making a mistake in action or judgment, which aligns with "backing the wrong horse."
### True or False: "Back the wrong horse" originated from politics.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** The phrase originated from horse racing but has been widely adopted in various fields including politics.
### Complete the idiom: "Back a ______ "
- [ ] Duck
- [ ] Loser
- [ ] Tree
- [x] Horse
> **Explanation:** The correct completion for the idiom is "Back a horse".
### Which movie could metaphorically illustrate "backing the wrong horse"?
- [x] The Color of Money
- [ ] Gone with the Wind
- [ ] Alice in Wonderland
- [ ] Interstellar
> **Explanation:** "The Color of Money" deals with betting and gambling, both appropriate metaphors for backing the wrong horse.
Farewell Thought: Remember, life isn’t always about backing the perfect horse. Sometimes, the unexpected lessons learned from our losing bets are where true wisdom lies. Keep racing forward!
