ride roughshod

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Thân thiện
Definition

Verb: - To act or proceed in a domineering, overbearing, or harsh manner, completely disregarding the feelings, rights, or wishes of others. It implies using one's power or authority to override opposition or objections without consideration.

Usage

This verb is used to describe situations where a person, group, or entity imposes its will forcefully and without compromise. It often carries a negative connotation of arrogance and insensitivity. The phrase is typically followed by the preposition "over."

Examples
  • The new manager rode roughshod over the team's established procedures, implementing his own without consultation.
  • The corporation was accused of riding roughshod over environmental regulations to maximize profits.
  • You cannot simply ride roughshod over people's concerns and expect their cooperation.
Advanced Usage
  • The phrase originates from the practice of shoeing a horse with "roughshod" shoes, which had protruding nail heads to provide better grip on slippery surfaces. A horse shod this way could trample things without slipping, leading to the metaphorical meaning of crushing opposition underfoot.
  • It is almost always used in the construction "to ride roughshod over [someone/something]."
Variants and Related Words
  • Bulldoze (verb): To force or intimidate someone into doing something.
  • Trample (verb): To treat with contempt or disregard. Often used as "trample on" (e.g., trample on someone's rights).
  • High-handed (adjective): Using power or authority without considering the feelings of others.
Synonyms
  • Domineer over
  • Trample on
  • Steamroller
  • Bully
  • Override
Related Phrases
  • Run roughshod over: This is a common variant with identical meaning and usage to "ride roughshod over."
    • The committee ran roughshod over the proposed amendments.
Idioms

While "ride roughshod over" is itself an idiomatic phrase, it is closely related to the concept of: - Throwing one's weight around: Behaving in an aggressively arrogant or authoritarian way.

Verb
  1. treat inconsiderately or harshly

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