“Ride your hobby horse”: To dwell on one’s favorite theory or project. The term alludes to the popular children’s toy, a stick mounted with a horse’s head on which youngsters “ride.” It was transferred to pet schemes and ideas by the early seventeenth century. “Almost every person hath some hobby horse or other wherein he prides himself,” wrote Sir Matthew Hale in 1676. See also ax to grind.
Related & Similar Terms
- Pet Project: A job, research, or charity work pursued with great enthusiasm.
- Bee in One’s Bonnet: An obsession.
- Fixation: A persistent focus.
- Hobby Lobby: An informal term for a place or space dedicated for one’s personal projects.
Proverbs & Expressions
- “Everyone has a hobby horse to ride.” — Classic
- “To each their own.” — Classic
Humor-filled Quotes
“A hobby horse is a friend with its own rhythm.” — Anon Noggin “I’ve never seen anyone trip over their hobby horse, but life has kept my ax perpetually ground.” — Sharp Wit
Synonyms
- Obsession
- Preoccupation
- Passionate Pursuit
Antonyms
- Indifference
- Apathy
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
- Book: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes - Encompasses the knight-errant’s fixation on reviving chivalry.
- Song: “Puff, the Magic Dragon” by Peter, Paul and Mary - About childhood beliefs and imaginations.
- Movie: Julie & Julia - Following parallel lives of two women consumed by their passion for cooking.
- Poetry: “Ode to a Grecian Urn” by John Keats - This poem is a reminder that obsessions with art or beauty often provide meaning to life.
Keep riding your hobby horse with joy and purpose, for it’s the journey of passion that paints the most colorful landscapes in our lives.
Kindest regards,
Imogen Imagination
