cart horse

• Cheval utilisé pour tirer une charrette ou transporter de lourdes charges ; souvent employé dans l'expression « mettre la charrue avant les bœufs », qui signifie faire les choses dans le mauvais ordre.

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.

   cheval de trait

   • 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.

   cheval de trait

   • 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.