Back in the Saddle – Meaning, Origin & Usage
When someone is returning to something, following a hiatus, you may hear the phrase ‘back in the saddle’. The idiom is rarely literal or connected to horse riding. If that’s got you confused, don’t worry – you’ve come to just the place.
In this article, I’m going to break down what the phrase means and how it originated. Then, we’ll delve into the usage, how and when to use the phrase ‘back in the saddle’. Then, I’ll throw in some alternative phrases that you can use in its place should you so wish, before rounding off with a conclusion.
And without further ado, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.
What is the meaning of the phrase ‘back in the saddle’?
If someone says that they are going to get ‘back in the saddle’ or that they have got ‘back in the saddle’ this means that they have returned to a previous activity.
The phrase can refer to absolutely any activity. Although it is predominantly used to refer to paid work, the phrase can also refer to getting back to a hobby.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘back in the saddle’?
While the idiom ‘back in the saddle’ is rarely meant literally, when the phrase first originated, it was meant literally, in reference to horseback riding. This is believed to date back to at least the 1800s, when the phrase was often used to jockeys and cowboys, who would have been expected to always get back to work after taking a break.
Over the course of time, the meaning of the phrase expanded, so that it could also be used as an idiom or metaphor, in reference to getting back to doing something that someone was previously doing after stopping for a period of time.
The phrase became particularly popularised in 1939, following the release of a song titles ‘back in the saddle again’, sung by Gene Autry, and written by Ray Whitley. The song features in several films and TV shows, including the film ‘Back in the Saddle’ released in 1941.
Despite the age of the saying, it can refer to getting back to any activity, including ones that weren’t even around when the phrase came about. For instance it could be used to refer to space travel or computer coding.
How and when to use the phrase ‘back in the saddle’?
If you have taken a hiatus of some kind, whether from work or a hobby, if you decide to return to this activity, this might be considered getting ‘back in the saddle’.
If someone you know has taken a career break, you might ask them if they ever intend to ‘get back in the saddle’. Or you might encourage them to ‘get back in the saddle’.
Alternatively, if you are really looking forward to going back to a particular activity, you might say that you can’t wait to get ‘back in the saddle’.
What are some other ways of saying ‘back in the saddle’?
‘Back in the saddle’ is a phrase with positive connotations, which means that it is usually accepted in both formal and informal communication, including within personal or professional contexts.
That said however, you could choose to use alternative or additional phrases if you so wish. Here are some examples for you to go through, including some that skirt around the topic of returning to activity without using the direct meaning.
- I can’t wait to go back to my hobby again.
- Although I enjoyed my holiday, I’m ready to go back to work now.
- I’ve had my break, and it’s nose to the grindstone now.
- Are you thinking of going back to your old job?
- I hope you decide to pick up your hobby again.
- When do you think you might return to work?
- He/she/they are back and better than ever.
- Oh good, you’ve returned. I’ve got just the job for you.
- You’ve bounced back well, nice to see you back to your normal self.
- I’m feeling much better now. I’m back to work and back to my hobbies again.
Final word
So to sum up, the idiom ‘back in the saddle’ refers to returning to an activity of some description, be it personal or professional. The saying has literal origins, referring to horseback riding, but the meaning of the phrase expanded over time to what it means today.
It’s a phrase that has predominantly positive connotations and can be used in a wide variety of different contexts, such as someone returning to their work after a break, or returning to a hobby after a period of inactivity.
If you don’t want to use this specific saying, there are many similar phrases that you can use that mean pretty much the same thing, as covered earlier.
