Ride shotgun

usgb
phrase

To sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle.

When we drive to the coast, Alice always wants to ride shotgun.
Visual representation of "ride shotgun" - To sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle

Often appears as...

  • call shotgun
  • ride shotgun with

Usage tips

Informal

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "ride shotgun"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Cultural Origin

Originates from the Old West where an armed guard sat beside the driver.

Illustration for Cultural Origin
Just like in the Westerns, he always rides shotgun when we go on road trips.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Claiming the Seat

People often 'call shotgun' to claim the front passenger seat before a journey.

Illustration for Claiming the Seat
You can't ride shotgun this time; I called it first!
LampPro Tip 3/3

Informal Setting

Used in casual conversations, not formal ones.

Illustration for Informal Setting
At the family outing, my cousin wanted to ride shotgun to chat with my uncle driving.
Visual representation of the word "Ride shotgun"

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