COMMON If someone rides roughshod over someone or something, they take decisions that will benefit themselves without considering what anyone else believes or wants. Bosses nowadays seem to think they can ride roughshod over unions. This is one of the few occasions in local government where voters can stop politicians riding roughshod over their wishes. Note: The verb run can be used instead of ride. Beaverbrook had run roughshod over the British military establishment to accomplish his objectives. Note: In the past, a roughshod horse had nail heads sticking out from its shoes, so it would not slip on icy roads. These shoes could cause terrible injuries if the horse rode over a person in a battle or by accident.