ride down: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “ride down” mean?
To pursue and overtake someone or something, especially on horseback or in a vehicle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To pursue and overtake someone or something, especially on horseback or in a vehicle; to chase until caught.
To suppress, overcome, or defeat through persistent pressure or force; to wear down or erode gradually.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English, especially in historical/literary contexts. In American English, 'run down' is often preferred for the chasing sense.
Connotations
British: Often evokes historical/chivalric imagery. American: More likely to be interpreted figuratively as 'overwhelm'.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, but higher in UK historical and journalistic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “ride down” in a Sentence
[Subject] rode down [Object][Subject] was ridden down by [Agent]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ride down” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The cavalry rode down the fleeing infantry.
- The government was accused of riding down legitimate protest.
American English
- The sheriff's deputies rode down the outlaw.
- Superior resources allowed them to ride down the competition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'The larger company tried to ride down the startup's market share.'
Academic
Historical/Political Science: 'The regime rode down all political dissent.'
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ride down”
- Using it for simply 'driving downhill'.
- Confusing with 'ride up' (to move upward).
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'He rode down' is incomplete).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is relatively rare and mostly found in formal, historical, or literary contexts.
No, that is not a standard meaning. 'Drive down' is used for prices.
'Run down' is more common and versatile (can mean to hit with a vehicle, criticise, or find after searching). 'Ride down' specifically emphasises pursuit from a position of power, often on horseback.
Yes, it is a transitive phrasal verb. You must ride down *someone* or *something*.
To pursue and overtake someone or something, especially on horseback or in a vehicle.
Ride down is usually formal/literary in register.
Ride down: in British English it is pronounced /ˌraɪd ˈdaʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌraɪd ˈdaʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “ride roughshod over (related in meaning of overriding opposition)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a knight on horseback RIDING DOWN a hill to chase and catch a fleeing messenger.
Conceptual Metaphor
OPPOSITION IS A FLEEING TARGET / OVERCOMING IS A PHYSICAL PURSUIT
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'ride down' used correctly?