Ride herd on somebody/something
verb
To closely supervise or control someone or something.
Thirty grandmothers ride herd on the town's children while their parents are working.
Often appears as...
- ride herd on children
- ride herd on subordinates
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To keep control or influence over someone or something.
As the team leader, it's my job to ride herd on this project and make sure everything goes smoothly.
Often appears as...
- ride herd on process
- ride herd on operations
verb
To monitor someone or something to ensure proper activity or behavior.
The teacher had to ride herd on the students to keep them focused during the end of the school year.
Often appears as...
- ride herd on students
- ride herd on workers
verb
To closely supervise or control someone or something.
Thirty grandmothers ride herd on the town's children while their parents are working.
Often appears as...
- ride herd on children
- ride herd on subordinates
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To keep control or influence over someone or something.
As the team leader, it's my job to ride herd on this project and make sure everything goes smoothly.
Often appears as...
- ride herd on process
- ride herd on operations
verb
To monitor someone or something to ensure proper activity or behavior.
The teacher had to ride herd on the students to keep them focused during the end of the school year.
Often appears as...
- ride herd on students
- ride herd on workers
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Active Supervision
Implies actively overseeing someone's actions, not just passively observing.
Our manager has to ride herd on the new hires to ensure they follow procedures.
Pro Tip 2/3Responsibility
Suggests a person has been given the responsibility to control or guide.
As the oldest cousin, I often have to ride herd on my younger cousins at reunions.
Pro Tip 3/3Colloquial Expression
It's a casual expression, not typically used in formal writing or speech.
In meetings, I'm informal and say I'll ride herd on the project's progress.
Pro Tip 1/3Active Supervision
Implies actively overseeing someone's actions, not just passively observing.
Our manager has to ride herd on the new hires to ensure they follow procedures.
Pro Tip 2/3Responsibility
Suggests a person has been given the responsibility to control or guide.
As the oldest cousin, I often have to ride herd on my younger cousins at reunions.
Pro Tip 3/3Colloquial Expression
It's a casual expression, not typically used in formal writing or speech.
In meetings, I'm informal and say I'll ride herd on the project's progress.
Pro Tip 1/3Active Supervision
Implies actively overseeing someone's actions, not just passively observing.
Our manager has to ride herd on the new hires to ensure they follow procedures.
Pro Tip 2/3Responsibility
Suggests a person has been given the responsibility to control or guide.
As the oldest cousin, I often have to ride herd on my younger cousins at reunions.
Pro Tip 3/3Colloquial Expression
It's a casual expression, not typically used in formal writing or speech.
In meetings, I'm informal and say I'll ride herd on the project's progress.
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