ridden hard and put away wet
Used without care
Ridden hard and put away wet describes someone or something that looks exhausted, worn out, or mistreated.
The phrase comes from horsemanship—a horse worked hard should be cooled down and dried before stabling, not left sweaty in its stall.
Applied to people, it suggests rough use or hard living: She looked like she'd been ridden hard and put away wet after that week.
The expression often carries undertones of dissipation or age catching up with someone.
- overworkedLaboring beyond healthy limits
- overuseExcessive employment of something
- mistreatedHarmed through poor treatment
- worse for wearDamaged by experience
- exhaustedUtterly depleted of energy
bedraggled · abused · hung out to dry · neglected · drained · haggard · used up · fatigued · spent · dead on your feet · lather · running on empty · dilapidated · worn-out · tired · misused · burned out · beat up
ridden hard and put away wetmint condition
Perfect, unused state
pristine · fresh as a daisy · well-preserved · brand new · good as new