A ride that is not on a bike

What happens when someone takes you for a ride? They cheat you! They make you believe that something false is true.

I paid a hundred baht to have this knife sharpened; but it is still blunt; I'm sure I was taken for a ride.

You're sure do not want to let anyone take you for a ride but you can let something ride. If you let something ride, you let something that is wrong or unpleasant continue without doing anything because the action might not be necessary or not yet necessary.

Jack told us not to worry about the change in the government's export policy and let it ride; he knows how to play this game.

Another expression concerning unpleasant or difficult situations is "to ride (out) the storm". It means that someone manages to get through a difficult situation or experience unharmed or without being destroyed or permanently affected by it.

The boss has gone through many tough times before; with this crisis we are confident that he will ride out the storm again.

It is similar to when you ride out a period of danger or difficulty; it means you go through it successfully.

Meena managed to ride out the divorce and moved on with her life.

I have an old classmate who married a navy general; she told me that quite often there were functions at her husband's office where she went along for the ride. She means that she only joined the activity but did not take an important part in it. For this expression you can say that you "come, go or be along for the ride."

"Don't be surprised with my presence here today; I came along for the ride."

 I would like to end today's column with the phrasal verb, "ride up". When an item of clothing rides up, it moves upwards to where is not its proper position.

I have to do something about this blouse; it keeps riding up when I lean back in a chair.

Complete the sentences using the expressions explained

1. He might be very upset with us now, but ...... until he sees the letter from the committee tomorrow.

2. The room and food were not worth the price we paid; I think we were ...... .

3. The accused MPs knew right from the beginning that they would ...... .

4. Your skirt has ...... ; let me help adjust it.

5. "What were you doing at the ceremony yesterday?" -- "Nothing much really, I just ...... ."

Answers: 1. let it ride, 2. taken for a ride, 3. ride out the storm, 4. ridden up, 5. went along for the ride

By Parnsap Yomanage