ride herd on

Idioms and Phrases

Keep close watch or tight control over, as in Aunt Martha is always riding herd on her bridge club, making sure they follow the rules . This idiom alludes to the cowboy who rides around a herd of cattle to keep them together. [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

State medical boards, which have at least nominal authority to ride herd on the practices of licensed physicians in this field, have done little of note.

From Los Angeles Times

Sipping filtered city water to show it was again drinkable, President Barack Obama promised to ride herd on leaders at all levels of government until every drop of water flowing into homes in Flint, Michigan, was safe to use.

From Washington Times

It’s not my job to “run” after the garbage truck or call week after week to ride herd on them.

From Seattle Times

Programs work best when they are tailored to meet the specific needs of employers, when states ride herd on providers to ensure students are actually learning useful skills, and when states work with students to bridge the gap between finishing a degree and starting a job.

From New York Times

Laws and regulations have been improved, but one of the things needed in 2021 in our worst-hit region is that Louisiana’s delegation in Congress continues to ride herd on the regs and financial difficulties of steering aid to the right places.

From Washington Times