Dictionary

hitch one's wagon to a star en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Coined by Ralph Waldo Emerson in his essay Civilization (1870).

Meanings

1. (Canada, US, idiomatic) To commit to an aspirational goal or course of action that will lead to fulfillment.
   • [Emerson] was not afraid to be homely and racy in expressing thought of the highest spirituality. "Hitch your wagon to a star" is a good instance of his favorite manner. 1891, Henry Augustin Beers, “The Concord Writers 1837-1861”, in Initial Studies in American Letters:
   • Well, he was done, he solaced himself. He had hitched his wagon to a star and been landed in a pestiferous marsh. 1909, Jack London, chapter 41, in Martin Eden:
   • So if you've had enough of life as an employee and you're planning to set up your own home-based business, do the sensible thing and hitch your wagon to the fastest rising star today — the Internet. 2002, Luis S. R. Vas, Business Ideas You Can Turn Into Cash:
   • Pick a star, or hero, or whatever product/service/idea you are presenting, and hitch your wagon to it. 2014, Ozana Giusca, More and Better Customers - Blogging Action Plan, page 19:

Forms

wikipedia: Ralph Waldo Emerson