ride or die

English

Alternative forms

• ride-or-die (noun and adjective)

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

ride or die (plural ride or dies)

1. (slang) Someone who is wholeheartedly committed and supportive.
   • 2012, Wisam Patros, Torn, →ISBN, page 33:

     I'll be your babe and you will be my hubby wubby. I'll be your ride or die.

   • 2013, Nikki Turner, Project Chick II: What's Done in the Dark, →ISBN, page viii:

     Princess (Lopez), your spirit is super-amazing, you are truly my ride or die, and I love you and want you to have nothing less than the absolute best!

   • 2013, Heather Maria Ramirez, All the Fireflies in France, →ISBN, page 5:

     Yeah, me and Mr. Lonely double dating, with pen, paper, and empty wine glasses . . . I'm looking for a new him . . . The one that stays, not gonna cheat, he is my ride or die and I'm his drive to shine.

   • 2014, Michael Gilligan, Sex, Drugs, And Cubicles: What I've Learned From The Music Industry, →ISBN:

     Around 9 pm and a few of my ride or dies show up with their people.

   • 2017, Ronnell "Chewy" Coombs, The Female Baller's Handbook, page 93:

     They know that the boyfriend usually isn't a good investment. You can't make a life long commitment with a guy who you don't have an in-depth ride or die bond with.

Adjective

ride or die (comparative more ride or die, superlative most ride or die)

1. (slang) Wholeheartedly committed and supportive.
   • 2010, Erica "makeda" Brathwaite, The Releasing of Me, →ISBN, page 51:

     Because a lot of us say we "are ride or die". OK then...How many of you will let someone nail you to a cross and torture you for your homies???

   • 2012, Jesse R. Watson Jr, Morning Coffee, →ISBN, page 369:

     When you think about it, if I can use this terminology, Jesus Christ is ride or die for all of us, so we ought to be loyal and committed to Him.

   • 2013, Maggie Stephens-Dykes, Letters Home, →ISBN:

     Being young, dumb, and in love, she set out to prove she was more ride or die than any of the others.

   • 2017, Lolah Lace, Flag On The Play (BWWM Interracial Romance), →ISBN:

     Yeah but it's okay Kari because he is ride or die for you too.

Verb

ride or die (third-person singular simple present rides or dies, present participle riding or dying, simple past rode or died, past participle ridden or died)

1. (slang) To support with wholehearted commitment.
   • 2011, Shana Burton, Flaw Less, →ISBN:

     I would like to thank my friends Deirdre Neeley, Lola Oyenuga, and Theresa Tarver, who not only ride with me when I have book signings, but “ride or die” for me on a daily basis.

   • 2012, Maxwell Billieon, Ray J -, Death of the Cheating Man: What Every Woman Must Know About Men Who Stray, →ISBN:

     Ladies, before you choose to ride or die with a man, you should first know that he is capable of handling the responsibility.

   • 2013, Meesha Mink, Real Wifeys: Hustle Hard: An Urban Tale, →ISBN, page 14:

     Just being with him and loving him in spite of it all was the limit of my riding or dying as his chick.