English / idiom
Horses, Not Zebras
MEANING IN ENGLISH
Look for the most straightforward, common explanation or solution rather than inventing exotic complications.
In context
01
When diagnosing the engine stutter before the grand prix, the mechanic looked for horses, not zebras, and quickly fixed a loose spark plug.
02
Our tactics had become too convoluted; once we returned to basics and looked for horses, not zebras, our victory streak resumed.
Synonyms
Occam's razor,simple diagnosis,common-sense reasoning
Antonyms
overthinking,chasing red herrings,exotic hypotheses
Collocations
look for horses not zebras,think horses not zebras,remember horses not zebras