ride roughshod over

Idioms  

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.

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Example Sentences

Critics say PSNs are being used for projects with minimal domestic benefit, including industrial zones managed by foreign companies, and allow developers to ride roughshod over environmental and rights protections.

From Barron's

"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

"Developers are being allowed to ride roughshod over the needs of communities and the environment and this has got to stop," he added.

From BBC

Related Words

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