- Meaning
- This idiom describes rebelling against authority, breaking free from constraints, or defying established rules or expectations, as if a horse kicks over the traces (straps) that tether it to a cart. It conveys a spirited, often reckless act of independence or defiance, used in social, professional, or personal contexts to highlight resistance to control. The phrase carries a tone of boldness, admiration, or caution, reflecting cultural fascination with individualism and the tension between conformity and rebellion. It resonates in settings where rigid structures provoke pushback, capturing the human desire for autonomy and the risks of challenging the status quo. The idiom often implies a dramatic or disruptive act, underscoring the stakes of defying tradition or power.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in 17th-century England, tied to equestrian culture where a horse kicking over its traces disrupted its harness, symbolizing resistance to control. An early use appears in John Milton’s 1671 *Samson Agonistes*, describing a character ‘kicking over the traces’ of oppression. The idiom gained traction in the 18th century, reflecting agrarian society’s familiarity with horses, as seen in Jonathan Swift’s *Gulliver’s Travels* (1726), which explores rebellion. Its metaphorical use grew in 19th-century British and American literature, particularly during periods of social upheaval, with Charles Dickens’ *Bleak House* (1853) employing it for characters defying norms. The phrase’s adoption was amplified in the American frontier, where individualism was celebrated, as seen in Mark Twain’s *Roughing It* (1872). Its use in 20th-century English was fueled by labor movements and countercultural trends, ensuring its spread across English-speaking cultures. The phrase’s vivid imagery, rooted in the physical act of a horse’s rebellion, and its applicability to defiance guaranteed its enduring use, from political protests to personal liberation narratives.
- Variants
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- Kick over the traces
- Kick over the traces
- Break the traces
- Throw over the traces
- Examples
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- She kicked over the traces, quitting her corporate job to start a nomadic life.
- Kicking over the traces, he defied the board’s rules to push his bold strategy.
- Break the traces if you must, but rebelling now could cost you your career.
- Throw over the traces, they ignored tradition and rewrote the company’s policies.
- He kicked over the traces, refusing to follow the family’s strict expectations.
- Kicking over the traces, the team launched an unauthorized project that succeeded.
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