cart horse

• Ein Pferd, das zum Ziehen von Karren oder schweren Lasten verwendet wird; steht im übertragenen Sinne auch für eine Person, die schwere oder undankbare Arbeit verrichtet.

A horse used for pulling carts or heavy loads; often used in the phrase 'put the cart before the horse,' meaning to do things in the wrong order.

1. Literal meaningB1formal

   A horse used for pulling a cart or wagon.

   Zugpferd

   • The farmer used a strong cart horse to transport hay.
   • In the old days, cart horses were essential for deliveries.
   • The cart horse trotted steadily along the road.

2. Figurative meaningC1informalbritish

   A person who does heavy, unskilled, or menial work; a drudge.

   Arbeitspferd

   • He felt like a cart horse, doing all the heavy lifting at the warehouse.
   • She was treated as a cart horse, given all the tedious tasks.
   • Don't be a cart horse; ask for help when you need it.