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Riding shotgun

Riding shotgun

Meaning

Riding in the front passenger seat of a car.

Examples

I prefer to drive but since my drink conviction I have to ride shotgun.

Where did it originate?

USA, mid 20th century. Initially heard in the dialogue of cowboy films.

Where is it used?

Mostly USA.

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Riding shotgun

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