infirm horse

[ɪnˈfɜːrm hɔːrs]
nounpl: infirm horses
cavalo fraco; cavalo debilitado; cavalo doente
1. A horse that is weak, sickly, or in poor physical condition; unable to perform normal duties due to illness or age
The farmer retired his infirm horse after many years of service.
O fazendeiro aposentou seu cavalo debilitado após muitos anos de serviço.
2. A horse unsuitable for riding or work due to lameness, injury, or disease
They decided not to use the infirm horse for the long journey.
Eles decidiram não usar o cavalo fraco para a longa jornada.
The term 'infirm horse' reflects historical agricultural and equestrian contexts where horses were essential working animals. In Brazil and the USA, this phrase is used both literally in rural farming communities and metaphorically to describe something or someone no longer useful or productive. The concept is rooted in traditional equestrian practices and animal husbandry.
NYC Slang
nag; plug; crowbait
Synonyms / Sinônimos
weak horsesickly horselame horsedecrepit horseailing horse
Antonyms / Antônimos
robust horsestrong horsehealthy horsevigorous horseable-bodied horse

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
cavalo debilitado; cavalo fraco
Standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
cavalo manco; cavalo sem forças
Common colloquial expression
São Paulo
cavalo adoentado; cavalo fraco
Formal and informal usage
Portugal
cavalo enfermo; cavalo doente
European Portuguese equivalent

Related Words

infirmitylamenesshorse diseaseequine illnesssoundnesshorsemanship

Related Idioms & Phrases

to beat a dead horse
a horse of a different color
you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink
put out to pasture
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