ride herd on
Keep strict watch
To ride herd on is to watch over closely and keep in line, from the cowboy practice of patrolling cattle to keep them moving together.
The phrase implies vigilant supervision with an element of control: She rides herd on the interns to make sure deadlines are met.
Often suggests the person being monitored might stray without oversight.
Manage and direct
- monitorDisplay or supervisor
- manageDirect or handle successfully
- watch overMonitor protectively
- keep an eye onObserve attentively over time
superintend · direct · chaperon · proctor · invigilate · boss · foreman · taskmaster
Argue or herd livestock
- corralFenced livestock enclosure
- steerDirect movement or castrated bull
- rein inLimit or control
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
command · dominate · regulate · govern · enforce · crack the whip · tight ship · clamp down
oversee
Manage and direct
- monitorDisplay or supervisor
- manageDirect or handle successfully
- watch overMonitor protectively
keep an eye on · superintend · direct · chaperon · proctor · invigilate · boss · foreman · taskmaster · micromanage
wrangle
Argue or herd livestock
discipline · command · dominate · regulate · govern · enforce · crack the whip · tight ship · clamp down · constrain
cowboy
Mounted cattle herder
- wranglerLivestock handler on ranches
- roundupOrganized gathering of scattered things
- cattleDomesticated bovines kept commercially
corral · livestock · range · stampede · lasso · rodeo · branding · chaps · spurs · saddle
ride herd onleave alone
Refrain from disturbing
neglect · ignore · let be · abandon · look the other way
ride herd ondelegate
Entrust authority to another
empower · trust · laissez-faire · micromanage · stand back