To be horsed, verb. phr. (old).—To be flogged [from the wooden-horse used as a flogging-stool]; to take on one’s back as for a flogging. [[358]]
1678. Butler, Hudibras, pt. III., c. 1. The spirit hors’d him like a sack Upon the vehicle his back.
1751. Smollett, Peregrine Pickle, ch. xvii. Our unfortunate hero was publicly horsed, in terrorem of all whom it might concern.
1857. Thackeray, Virginians, ch. v. Serjeants, school-masters, slave-overseers, used the cane freely. Our little boys had been horsed many a day by Mr. Dempster.
1881. Notes and Queries, 1 Jan., p. 18. I got well horsed for such a breach of discipline.
To fall away from a horseload to a cartload, verb. phr. (old).—See quot.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Horseplay. Fallen away from a horseload to a cartload, spoken ironically of one considerably improved in flesh on a sudden.
To flog the dead horse.—See Dead-horse and Horse, verb. sense 2.
To put the cart before the horse, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To begin at the wrong end; to set things hind-side before.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Horse.