roughshod

American  

[ruhf-shod] / ˈrʌfˈʃɒd /

adjective

1. shod with horseshoes having projecting nails or points.

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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.

roughshod British  

/ ˈrʌfˌʃɒd /

adjective

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

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adverb

1. to domineer over or act with complete disregard for

Etymology

Origin of roughshod

First recorded in 1680–90; rough + shod

Explanation

Roughshod means "brutal" or "without regard for the rules." If someone ignores established rules and regulations, they run roughshod over the law. You'll nearly always find this word alongside "run" or "ride," as when a power-hungry politician rides roughshod over anyone who stands in the way of his success. We get this figurative term from the original meaning of roughshod, used to describe a horse whose metal shoes have sharp, protruding nails. This was done to prevent slipping, but during wartime it resulted in terrible damage to trampled soldiers. If you've been brutalized, you may feel someone's run roughshod over you.

Example Sentences

Roughshod and ungrammatical, it repeated itself like a garrulous, angry man.

From Time Magazine Archive

This "ranking" stood somewhat as follows: Roughshod, omnivincible, indisputable national champions—Notre Dame.

From Time Magazine Archive