ride herd on

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

The idea was to ride herd on a financial industry that thought nothing of ripping off consumers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2019

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the United Network for Organ Sharing already ride herd on organ procurement organizations.

From Washington Times • Jul. 15, 2019

After President John F. Kennedy became disenchanted with the agency’s failed operation to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba in 1961, he assigned his brother Attorney General Robert Kennedy to ride herd on the agency.

From Salon • Jan. 20, 2017

Lowey promised to ride herd on the administration to help get the Republicans the information they're demanding.

From US News • Apr. 13, 2016

“You ride herd on the passengers here from the outside till you hear two shots, then hump yourself forward and hop on the express car.”

From Crooked Trails and Straight by Hutchison, D. C.