# ride roughshod over

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˌɹaɪd ˈɹʌfʃɒd ˌəʊvə/

## Definitions
1. To treat (someone) roughly or without care, control, moderation, or respect; to act in a bullying manner toward (someone); to damage (someone or something).

## Etymology
A horse is roughshod if its hooves are shod with horseshoes that have calks (projecting parts to prevent slipping). Thus, something that a roughshod horse is ridden over is likely to be damaged by the projections of its horseshoes.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ride-roughshod-over