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What is "to set the cart before the horse"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To set the cart before the horse

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.

  2. A two-wheeled vehicle for the ordinary purposes of husbandry, or for transporting bulky and heavy articles.

    Packing all his goods in one poor cart.
    --Dryden.

  3. A light business wagon used by bakers, grocerymen, butchers, etc.

  4. An open two-wheeled pleasure carriage.

    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.