General
rode hard and put up wet
What does rode hard and put up wet mean?
Describes someone looking rough or exhausted, like a horse ridden hard and stabled without cooling down.
"After that all-nighter she looked rode hard and put up wet."
Origin
Southern/Western horse-culture idiom; a horse put away still sweaty ends up in poor shape.
Frequently asked questions
What does "rode hard and put up wet" mean?
It means looking worn-out, haggard, or exhausted—as rough as a horse ridden hard then stabled while still sweaty.
Where does it come from?
It's a Southern and Western horse-culture idiom; a horse put away wet without cooling down ends up in poor condition.
How do you use it?
Describe someone looking rough, e.g. "After that all-nighter she looked rode hard and put up wet."
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