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take for a ride

What does take for a ride mean?

To 'take someone for a ride' is to lure or force them into a car and kill them, a signature gangland execution method.

"When he got in the car with them, everyone knew he was being taken for a ride."

Origin

American gangster slang, Prohibition era.

Frequently asked questions

What does 'take for a ride' mean?
To take someone for a ride is to lure or force them into a car and kill them, a signature gangland execution method.
Where does 'take for a ride' come from?
It is American gangster slang from the Prohibition era, when victims were often driven to a remote spot and killed.
Can 'take for a ride' mean to deceive?
In general English it can mean to cheat or deceive, but in underworld slang it specifically refers to a gangland killing.
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.