To ride off is to depart on a horse, bicycle, or other mount—typically moving away from the scene: The cowboy rode off into the sunset.
The phrase often carries a sense of finality or dramatic exit.
In polo, to ride off an opponent is to use your horse to push theirs away from the ball.
1. departure — horseback, Atop a steed; saddle (Mounted rider's seat); gallop (Swiftest quadruped gait); canter (Moderate equine gait); trot · sunset · trail · horizon · farewell · mount · reins · stirrup · bridle · hoofbeats
2. escape — flee, Depart swiftly from threat; gallop (Swiftest quadruped gait); evade (Escape by cunning); elude (Skillfully avoid capture); bolt · dash · getaway · pursuit · chase · outrun · disappear · hightail · abscond · decamp
Opposites
DIRECTION OF MOVEMENTride off ≠ ride up Shift uncomfortably higher; pull up · roll in · pull in
MODE OF DEPARTUREride off ≠ walk away Depart from something; walk off · dismount · climb down · get down · alight
MOVEMENT VS. STASISride off ≠ arrive Reach a destination; pull up · dismount · stay · remain · stop
Categories
departures: leave, depart, exit, leaving, go; Old West: cowboy, cowboys, cowgirl, sheriff, sheriffs
Family
off, ride, rider, riding, rides, rode, ridden, outrider, outride
- Familiarity
- Top 50,000
- Profile
- Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G