ride shotgun

Idioms  

1. Guard someone or something while in transit, as in The reporter found himself in the odd position of riding shotgun for an accused mobster. This term alludes to the armed defender of a stagecoach who sat beside the driver to protect against marauders and bandits. Later it was transferred to anyone riding in the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, as well as to the more general function of protection. [Mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

He was very much a soldier for truth and I would ride shotgun and make these videos about the underground, unknown histories of Tulsa.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2025

I hadn’t had the experience, so to have someone you can ride shotgun with was great.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 13, 2023

During summer vacations as a little boy, he’d ride shotgun with his father, who has driven a semi truck for nearly four decades at the ports, and they’d listen to Dodger baseball games together.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2022

Maybe, this time around, he can find someone who’d like to ride shotgun.

From The Verge • Aug. 29, 2021

Then he wouldn’t have to ride shotgun anymore.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz