ride shotgun

Idioms and Phrases

Guard someone or something while in transit, as in The reporter found himself in the odd position of riding shotgun for an accused mobster . This term alludes to the armed defender of a stagecoach who sat beside the driver to protect against marauders and bandits. Later it was transferred to anyone riding in the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, as well as to the more general function of protection. [Mid-1900s]