What is the meaning of the phrase ‘rode hard and put away wet’?
Mistreated or not being properly cared for.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘rode hard and put away wet’?
The phrase comes from horseback riding. After riding a horse, it is customary to allow the horse to cool down and be brushed down before returning it to its stable. This is basic care and consideration for the horse, and if this is not done, it will result in the horse feeling unnecessarily tired, uncomfortable and unhappy. So to avoid taking care of a horse in this way is neglect and mistreatment.
Thus, when someone rides a horse hard and does not look after them afterward, the horse can be said to be very worn out and tired,as well as bad tempered and resentful, due to issues such as chills and muscle stiffness. This can also become a metaphor for a person that isn’t properly taken care of. Whether it’s someone who hasn’t been looking after themselves, someone who hasn’t been looked after by their caregiver, or simply someone who has been working too hard and is reaching burnout.
The precise timing of origin of the phrase is not clear, but I can confirm that it was popularised in the 1950s, when it became a catchphrase of the country and western singer and comedian Tennessee Ernie Ford.
There’s a similar phrase with the same meaning which is ‘ridden hard and put away wet’.
What are some notable uses of the phrase ‘rode hard and put away wet’?
There has been a two-woman comedy show called ‘Rode Hard and Put Away Wet’ starring June Diane Raphael and Casey Wilson, and an album with the same title by the pop-punk band Diesel Boy released in 2001. It has also appeared as the title of an adult film in 1998.