What does “Ride shotgun” mean?
The phrase "ride shotgun" means 'sit in the front passenger seat.' When someone says they want to "ride shotgun", they are expressing their desire to sit in the seat next to the driver. This term originally comes from the times of stagecoaches and horse-drawn wagons, where someone would sit next to the driver with a shotgun to protect against potential attacks. Nowadays, it simply refers to wanting to sit in the front seat of a vehicle.
How is the expression used in real life?
Example
I called shotgun and got to ride shotgun in my friend's car.
Example
He always lets his little sister ride shotgun because she gets car sick in the back.
Example
I prefer to ride shotgun so I can control the music.
What context can I use each expression in?
- 1Claiming the front passenger seat
I called shotgun and got to ride shotgun in my friend's car.
He always lets his little sister ride shotgun because she gets car sick in the back.
- 2Preference for sitting in the front
I prefer to ride shotgun so I can control the music.
She always volunteers to ride shotgun because she gets motion sickness in the back.
- 3Describing the act of sitting in the front passenger seat
He asked me to ride shotgun on the road trip.
She invited her best friend to ride shotgun in her new car.
Good things to know:
What is the origin of the phrase?
The phrase "ride shotgun" originated in the United States during the Wild West era. It refers to the person who would sit next to the stagecoach driver and carry a shotgun to protect against potential threats. Over time, the term has evolved to simply mean sitting in the front passenger seat of any vehicle.
Can the phrase be used on its own?
The phrase "ride shotgun" is typically used within a sentence to describe the act of sitting in the front passenger seat. It is not commonly used on its own.
Is the phrase offensive?
The phrase "ride shotgun" is not offensive. It is a slang term used to describe sitting in the front passenger seat of a vehicle.
Audience for the phrase
The phrase "ride shotgun" is commonly used by English speakers, particularly in the United States. It is understood by most people familiar with modern slang and car culture.
Is the phrase specific to an accent or country?
The phrase "ride shotgun" is primarily used in the United States, but it is also understood in other English-speaking regions. It may not be as commonly used or recognized outside of the US.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- sit in the front seat
- sit in the passenger seat
- sit up front
- sit in the shotgun seat
- sit in the co-pilot seat
Antonyms
- sit in the back seat
- sit in the rear seat
- sit in the second row
- sit in the back row
- sit in the third row
