ride roughshod over

1. Act without regard for the feelings or interests of others, as in She just forges on, riding roughshod over her colleagues. This term alludes to the practice of arming horses with horseshoes mounted with projecting nails or points, which both gave them better traction and served as a weapon against fallen enemy soldiers. By 1800 it was being used figuratively for bullying behavior.

Example Sentences

"Now, that's not to say that we should ride roughshod over the views of local people, and that's not to say that every project is justifiable," he said.

From BBC

Mr Mitchell said: "I have seen no compelling evidence of ravens killing healthy lambs. NatureScot cannot and must not ride roughshod over licensing rules to accommodate a few farmers."

From BBC

The UK's music industry isn't particularly well integrated with Europe, tending to ride roughshod over its less influential neighbours.

From BBC

In a press release afterwards, he accused the government of allowing Trump and Musk to "ride roughshod over UK interests".

From BBC

He had threatened to ride roughshod over his own North American free trade deal unless those nations tightened up on border control.

From BBC

Related Words

• crush 
• encroach 
• flatten 
• hurt 
• infringe 
• injure 
• override 
• overwhelm 
• run over 
• squash 
• step on 
• stomp 
• violate