horse sense

/ˌhɔrs ˈsɛns/

If your teacher tells you that you have horse sense, consider it a compliment. People with horse sense are smart and practical and can be counted on to make good decisions.

Word experts aren't certain if the expression horse sense comes from the typical personality of horses themselves, calm and prudent, or from the idea that people who are very skilled in working with horses have a kind of horse sense. Either way, it's a colloquial phrase from the late 1800's that's still used fairly often today.

Definitions of horse sense

1. noun

   sound practical judgment
   synonyms: common sense, good sense, gumption, mother wit, sense

   types:

   logic

   reasoned and reasonable judgment

   nous

   common sense

   road sense

   good judgment in avoiding trouble or accidents on the road

   type of:

   discernment, judgement, judgment, sagaciousness, sagacity

   the mental ability to understand and discriminate between relations