To set the cart before the horse
(gcide) | Cart \Cart\ (k[aum]rt), n. [AS. cr[ae]t; cf. W. cart, Ir. &
Gael. cairt, or Icel. kartr. Cf. Car.]
1. A common name for various kinds of vehicles, as a Scythian
dwelling on wheels, or a chariot. "Ph[oe]bus' cart."
--Shak.
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2. A two-wheeled vehicle for the ordinary purposes of
husbandry, or for transporting bulky and heavy articles.
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Packing all his goods in one poor cart. --Dryden.
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3. A light business wagon used by bakers, grocerymen,
butchers, etc.
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4. An open two-wheeled pleasure carriage.
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Cart horse, a horse which draws a cart; a horse bred or
used for drawing heavy loads; -- also spelled carthorse.
Cart rope, a stout rope for fastening a load on a cart; any
strong rope.
To put the cart before the horse, {To get the cart before
the horse}, or To set the cart before the horse, to invert
the order of related facts or ideas, as by putting an
effect for a cause; to do things in an improper order.
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