Charley horse Meaning in English
expression
ˈtʃɑɹɫi/ /ˈhɔɹs
CHAR-lee HORS
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 muscularChinese (Simplified): 抽筋Chinese (Traditional): 抽筋Hindi: मांसपेशियों में ऐंठनArabic: شد عضليBengali: পেশীর টান - পেশীর খিঁচRussian: судорога (в ноге) - мышечная судорогаJapanese: こむら返り - 足がつることVietnamese: chuột rút (ở chân) - vọp bẻKorean: 쥐 (근육경련)Turkish: kramp (bacakta) - kas spazmıUrdu: پٹھوں میں کھنچاؤ - ٹانگ میں اکڑنIndonesian: 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