ride roughshod over

Fig. to treat someone or something with disdain or scorn. Tom seems to ride roughshod over his friends. You shouldn't have come into our town to ride roughshod over our laws and our traditions.

to act without caring about how you will effect someone or something He was a bully and rode roughshod over his workers whenever he felt they weren't working hard enough.

to act in the way you want to, ignoring rules, traditions, or other people's wishes They accused the government of riding roughshod over parliamentary procedure. He cannot be allowed to ride roughshod over his colleagues with his ambitious plans.

Act without regard for the feelings or interests of others, as in She just forges on, riding roughshod over her colleagues. This term alludes to the practice of arming horses with horseshoes mounted with projecting nails or points, which both gave them better traction and served as a weapon against fallen enemy soldiers. By 1800 it was being used figuratively for bullying behavior.

To treat with brutal force: a manager who rode roughshod over all opposition.