Put someone through their paces
Meaning
To thoroughly test someone's abilities, skills, or fitness in a comprehensive manner.
Origin
The phrase's roots are firmly in horsemanship, where "paces" refers to the various gaits of a horse—walk, trot, canter, gallop. For centuries, trainers, buyers, and cavalry officers would "put a horse through its paces" to thoroughly assess its training, agility, stamina, and overall suitability. This involved making the animal demonstrate its full range of movements to reveal any strengths or weaknesses. The vivid image of a horse being tested comprehensively, proving its mettle across all its abilities, seamlessly transitioned into the human realm, becoming a powerful metaphor for a rigorous examination of someone's skills, character, or endurance in any demanding situation.
Examples
- The demanding coach decided to put all the new recruits through their paces during the intense morning drills.
- Before making a final decision, the panel will put the top candidates through their paces with a series of challenging practical tasks.