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Roughshod for Dummies

adjective

pronunciation: 'rəfʃɑd

What does Roughshod really mean?

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Hey there! So, you're curious about the word "roughshod," huh? No worries, I'm here to help you understand it. "Roughshod" is actually a compound word made up of two smaller words: "rough" and "shod." Now, let's break it down step by step.

Firstly, think about the word "rough". When something is "rough," it means that it's not smooth or gentle. Imagine walking on a path filled with pebbles and rocks. It would be bumpy and uneven, right? That's the kind of feeling that "rough" gives off. So, when something is described as "rough," it means it's not really polished or comfortable, but rather irregular and harsh. It's like trying to write with a pencil that has a dull, jagged tip.

Now, let's look at the second part of the word, "shod". Have you ever heard of horseshoes? Horses wear them on their hooves to protect their feet. These horseshoes are made of metal and are shaped to fit perfectly on a horse's hoof. When a horse is "shod," it means they have their hooves covered with these horseshoes.

Alright, now let's put it all together. When we say someone or something is "roughshod," it means they are being forceful or not considerate. It's like picturing a horse with rough, jagged horseshoes trampling all over a delicate flower bed. That horse is walking all over the flowers, not caring about their beauty or fragility. So, being "roughshod" is when someone bulldozes over others without being gentle or thoughtful about their feelings or needs.

But wait, there's more! "Roughshod" can have another meaning as well. It can also describe a way of riding or driving a horse. Back in the olden days, some horse riders would place sharp metal projections or studs onto their horses' shoes. This was done to give the horse better traction and control on slippery surfaces, like ice or mud. It allowed the rider to have a firmer and more forceful grip on the horse's movements. So, in this sense, "roughshod" means using this technique while riding a horse.

Now that you know what "roughshod" means, you can use it to describe situations or people who are being rough, forceful, or not paying attention to others' well-being. It's important to be aware of how we treat others and strive to be considerate and kind instead of roughshod.

Revised and Fact checked by Emma Williams on 2023-10-29 18:00:44

Roughshod In a sentece

Learn how to use Roughshod inside a sentece

  • My sister is very roughshod with her toys, she plays with them so roughly that they often break.
  • The soccer player ran roughshod over the opposing team, scoring three goals in just one game.
  • Sam's handwriting is roughshod, his letters are all uneven and messy.
  • The construction workers trampled roughshod over the freshly planted flowers, ruining the garden.
  • During the storm, the wind blew roughshod through the trees, causing branches to fall and scatter everywhere.

Roughshod Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Roughshod Similar Words

Words that similar to the original word, but are not synonyms.