牛うしを馬うまに乗のり換かえる

expression, ichidan verb

switch from something bad to something good; trade up

Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'to change from riding a cow to riding a horse'. Used when abandoning an inferior option for a superior one, often in a strategic or opportunistic context.

• 不ふ人にん気きの政せい策さくを捨すてて、新あたらしい案あんに牛うしを馬うまに乗のり換かえるような戦せん略りゃくを取とった。

  They abandoned the unpopular policy and adopted a strategy of switching to a new proposal, like trading a cow for a horse.

• あの会かい社しゃは業ぎょう績せきが悪あっ化かした部ぶ門もんを売ばい却きゃくし、成せい長ちょう分ぶん野やに牛うしを馬うまに乗のり換かえた。

  That company sold off its underperforming division and traded up to a growth sector.