rough ride
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.33 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
1
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The practice of not applying a seat belt to a handcuffed detainee in a transport vehicle before driving erratically, causing that detainee to be violently shaken about.
Slang
noun
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see rough, ride.
Example Sentences
- "Near-synonym: diesel therapy"
- "This protocol was put into place to address an informal police policy known as “rough rides.” A rough ride is a form of police brutality where handcuffed individuals are placed in transport vans without being secured by a seatbelt while an officer drives erratically. Rough rides in the Baltimore Police Department have resulted in severe injuries, including paralysis ([…])."
- "Will this decision-making paralysis continue until Great British Railways has been established and settled into a new rhythm? If so, passengers on the West of England line are in for a rough ride, as the reliability of these tired old British Rail trains inevitably declines, and maintenance costs rise."