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to run roughshod over sb/sth
01
to not care about other people's opinions, feelings, or rights
![to [run] roughshod over {sb/sth} definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/44840/original/?type=jpeg "to [run] roughshod over {sb/sth} definition and meaning")
What is the origin of the idiom "run roughshod over someone or something" and when to use it?
The idiom "run roughshod over someone or something" is derived from the literal practice of using horses with "roughshod" hooves. Roughshoeing involved attaching shoes with sharp projections or calkins to a horse's hooves to provide better traction on slippery or uneven surfaces. This allowed the horse to move without regard for obstacles and made it easier for them to traverse challenging terrains. This expression is often used to describe a situation where someone or something dominates or mistreats others in a forceful and disrespectful manner.
Example
The company's expansion plans ran roughshod over the concerns of the local community.
The new manager ran roughshod over the employees, making decisions without consulting them.
He doesn't want to be the kind of leader who runs roughshod over his team but prefers to collaborate with them.
He achieved success by ruthlessly running roughshod over anyone who got in his way.
