Phrase guide

ride herd on

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To supervise.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • As the new editor, his job is to ride herd on the staff and check on the tone of the articles.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

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