ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ride shotgun

idiom
Meaning

To accompany the driver of a vehicle on a journey as an armed escort (originally with a shotgun); (by extension) to accompany someone in order to assist and protect.


Origin

disputed origin

Possibly from early-20th-century depictions in books and films of the 19th-century practice of a person armed with a rifle or shotgun riding next to a stagecoach driver to provide protection from bandits, etc.

Examples
SIMPLE

I'll ride shotgun and help you navigate.

CONTEXTUAL

My brother asked me to ride shotgun on the long drive to keep him awake.

COMPLEX

She agreed to ride shotgun on the perilous journey through the mountains, scanning the winding roads ahead for signs of trouble.

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

    Nantucket sleigh ride

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

  5. 05

    ride down

    To cause (a horse) to fall when riding.

  6. 06

    ride hard and put away wet

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

  7. 07

    ride herd on

    To supervise.

  8. 08

    ride high

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

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