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

Now they’re riding roughshod over the Milan Cortina Games.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

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 • Oct. 17, 2025

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 • May 27, 2025

Much of the roughshod and potentially illegal action taken in the name of DOGE, Wallach noted, appears to follow in the mold of a business like SpaceX, where the CEO can essentially act unilaterally.

From Salon • Feb. 5, 2025

You two are trodding roughshod on the most important night of my life, her heavily made-up face said.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner