Charley horse Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈtʃɑɹɫi/ /ˈhɔɹs

CHAR-lee HORS

UK

ˈtʃɑːli/ /hˈɔːs

CHAR-lee HAWS

Definition

A sudden, painful muscle cramp, usually in the leg or foot, that often happens during exercise or at night.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and mainly used in American English. Often refers to leg cramps, especially after physical activity. In other English varieties, 'muscle cramp' or 'leg cramp' is more common. Not a medical term.

• Spanish: calambre (muscular) - tirón (muscular)
• Portuguese (BR): cãibra (muscular) - estiramento (muscular)
• Portuguese (PT): cãibra muscular - estiramento muscular
• Chinese (Simplified): 抽筋
• Chinese (Traditional): 抽筋
• Hindi: मांसपेशियों में ऐंठन
• Arabic: شد عضلي
• Bengali: পেশীর টান - পেশীর খিঁচ
• Russian: судорога (в ноге) - мышечная судорога
• Japanese: こむら返り - 足がつること
• Vietnamese: chuột rút (ở chân) - vọp bẻ
• Korean: 쥐 (근육경련)
• Turkish: kramp (bacakta) - kas spazmı
• Urdu: پٹھوں میں کھنچاؤ - ٹانگ میں اکڑن
• Indonesian: kram otot - kram kaki

Example Sentences

I got a charley horse in my leg last night.

basic

He stopped running because of a charley horse.

basic

A charley horse can be very painful.

basic

Woke up at 3 a.m. with a terrible charley horse!

natural

Every time I swim, I worry about getting a charley horse.

natural

Just stretch your leg if you feel a charley horse coming on.

natural