ride shotgun
Beside the driver
To ride shotgun is to sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle: I called shotgun, so I get to ride shotgun.
The expression comes from the armed guard who sat beside stagecoach drivers in the American Old West.
Figuratively, riding shotgun can mean accompanying someone as backup or protection: She rode shotgun on the deal to make sure nothing went wrong.
Forward vehicle seating
- passengerTraveler, not operator
- co-pilotAviator's assistant in command
- navigatorRoute-directing crew member
- road tripExtended pleasure drive
sidekick · buddy · copilot · journey · carpool · backseat driver · map reader · lookout
Statement of ownership or truth
- dibsInformal spoken claim
- front seatForward vehicle seating
- sibling rivalryCompetition between children sharing parents
- first come first servedEarliest arrivals get preference
Horse-drawn route vehicle
- guardWatchful defensive attention
- Old WestAmerican cowboy era
- Wells FargoMajor American bank
- armed escortWeapon-carrying protective companion
highwayman · bandit · protection · frontier · coach driver · Winchester · security · outlaw
front seat
Forward vehicle seating
- passengerTraveler, not operator
- co-pilotAviator's assistant in command
- navigatorRoute-directing crew member
road trip · sidekick · buddy · copilot · journey · carpool · backseat driver · map reader · lookout · spotter
claim
Statement of ownership or truth
- dibsInformal spoken claim
- front seatForward vehicle seating
- sibling rivalryCompetition between children sharing parents
first come first served · shout · announcement · childhood game · pecking order
stagecoach
Horse-drawn route vehicle
- guardWatchful defensive attention
- Old WestAmerican cowboy era
- Wells FargoMajor American bank
armed escort · highwayman · bandit · protection · frontier · coach driver · Winchester · security · outlaw
navigate
Guide through terrain
- stay awakeNot fall asleep
- keep companyStay with someone socially