roughshod

[ ruhf-shod ]

adjective

1. shod shoe with horseshoes having projecting nails or points.

roughshod

/ ˈrʌfˌʃɒd /

adjective

1. (of a horse) shod with rough-bottomed shoes to prevent sliding

adverb

1. ride roughshod over
   to domineer over or act with complete disregard for

Word History and Origins

Origin of roughshod¹

First recorded in 1680–90; rough + shod

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. ride roughshod over, to treat harshly or domineeringly; override; crush:

   He rode roughshod over his friends to advance himself in the business world.

Example Sentences

Armed with a grant of immunity from the Supreme Court, he would run roughshod over the rule of law.

From Los Angeles Times

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK would not sit “idly by whilst Putin and his mafia state ride roughshod over international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention”.

From BBC

For half a century, the department has been plagued by allegations about tattooed groups of deputies who run roughshod over certain sheriff’s stations and promote a culture of violence.

From Los Angeles Times

For five decades, the Sheriff’s Department has been plagued by allegations about rogue groups of deputies running roughshod over certain stations and promoting a culture of violence.

From Los Angeles Times

To his opponents, he was an authoritarian strongman who rode roughshod over the country's democratic institutions to preserve his hold on power.

From BBC