ride it out

USAGE SUMMARY

"ride it out" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to endure or wait patiently for something difficult or challenging to pass. Example: "We're in the middle of a storm, but we just need to ride it out until the rain stops."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm going to ride it out".

The New York Times

"They are prepared to ride it out".

The New York Times

We just have to ride it out".

The New York Times

Should I just let her ride it out?

Independent

So I decided to ride it out here.

The New York Times

"Makes more sense to stay and ride it out, huh?

The New Yorker

"And I thought I would ride it out".

The New York Times - Health

"My intent right now is to ride it out".

The New York Times

"She's got to ride it out and sacrifice.

The New York Times

Would we have had the strength to ride it out?

The New York Times

Why not let Stevie just ride it out himself?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ride it out" when you want to convey the idea of enduring a temporary difficulty without taking immediate action to change it. It's best suited for situations where the problem is expected to resolve on its own.

Common error

Avoid using "ride it out" when the situation demands proactive intervention. If the problem is unlikely to resolve on its own and requires your active involvement, choose a phrase that reflects taking initiative, such as "address the issue" or "tackle the challenge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ride it out" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of enduring or tolerating a difficult situation until it passes. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ride it out" is a common idiom used to describe enduring a difficult situation until it passes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It implies a passive approach, suggesting that the best course of action is to wait and let the problem resolve itself. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose more proactive alternatives when direct intervention is necessary. The phrase is found most frequently in News & Media and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weather the storm

Implies successfully surviving a turbulent period, emphasizing resilience.

tough it out

Highlights the need for strength and resilience in facing a challenge.

bear with it

Suggests tolerating something unpleasant until it ends.

hang in there

Offers encouragement to persevere through a difficult time.

persevere

Focuses on continuing despite obstacles, emphasizing determination.

endure

Highlights the ability to withstand hardship or suffering.

stick it out

Emphasizes commitment to finishing something despite difficulty.

remain steadfast

Implies maintaining a firm and unwavering stance during adversity.

see it through

Stresses the importance of completing a task or process despite challenges.

keep afloat

Focuses on maintaining stability and avoiding failure during a crisis.

FAQs

What does the expression "ride it out" mean?

The expression "ride it out" means to endure a difficult situation, process, or period patiently until it ends or resolves itself.

How can I use "ride it out" in a sentence?

You can use "ride it out" to describe waiting and enduring a challenging situation, such as: "The company decided to "ride it out" and hope the market improves".

What can I say instead of "ride it out"?

You can use alternatives like "weather the storm", "tough it out", or "bear with it" depending on the context.

Is "ride it out" appropriate for formal writing?

While "ride it out" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "endure", "withstand", or "persevere".