ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ride herd on

idiom
Meaning

To supervise.


Origin

disputed origin

From the cowboy task of driving cattle while riding along with them.

Examples
SIMPLE

The manager has to ride herd on the new team.

CONTEXTUAL

During the busy holiday season, the supervisor must ride herd on every department to ensure all orders ship on time.

COMPLEX

The project lead struggled to ride herd on the creative team, whose members often ignored deadlines in favor of pursuing their own artistic visions.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    free ride

    An opportunity or benefit which has no cost, especially one enjoyed or undertaken at the expense of others.

  2. 02

    full ride

    A scholarship that covers all tuition, and in some cases fees or other educational and living expenses as well.

  3. 03

    go along for the ride

    To accompany someone in a passive manner, or to take a relatively passive or detached role in a project or group activity.

  4. 04

    herd cats

    To attempt to control the uncontrollable; to attempt to manage a great many unruly factors or people to a single end.

  5. 05

    Nantucket sleigh ride

    An instance of the dragging of a whaleboat across the surface of a body of water by a harpooned whale.

  6. 06

    ride down

    To cause (a horse) to fall when riding.

  7. 07

    ride hard and put away wet

    To mistreat (someone or something); to not properly care for.

  8. 08

    ride high

    To enjoy good fortune; to be in a privileged situation; to be particularly happy or proud.

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