Meaning of rough rider | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Something, such as a steam locomotive, that does not travel smoothly when in motion
2. A person whose specialty is the breaking in or training of wild horses.

Examples

“It is common knowledge that the Stanier Class 5 4-6-0s can be very rough riders at speed, owing to "knock" in the trailing left-hand axlebox, and this tendency would be eased with any lengthening of the cut-off.”

“because you are full of old festered wounds, you must have corrosive salves, for that is best for you, and the speediest way to recover your health: and forasmuch as you be rough horses, you must have a rough rider, and hard knobby timber must have hard wedges, and hard strokes with a beetle ["mallet"].”

“Our best rough-rider had mounted him, with a view of thoroughly "taking it out of him," and I never witnessed a better display of horsemanship.”

CEFR level