ride the circuit

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

ride the circuit (third-person singular simple present rides the circuit, present participle riding the circuit, simple past rode the circuit, past participle ridden the circuit)

1. To travel between small towns on horseback, usually to preach or preside over courts of law.
   • 1972, J. S. Cockburn, A History of English Assizes, 1558-1714, page 284:

     "Although commissioned, Hale J did not ride the circuit, his place being taken by Francis Swanton, the clerk of assize."

   • 1999, Timothy R. Mahoney, Provincial Lives: Middle-Class Experience in the Antebellum Middle West, page 184:

     "Likewise, other local lawyers would ride the circuit for a session or two, briefly joining the core group as it traveled the circuit, and return home."

   • 2001, Catherine L. Albanese, American Spiritualities: A Reader, page 191:

     Usually Methodists dealt with this problem by having their ministers "ride the circuit" by periodically visiting homes and class meetings.

   • 2011, Keith Earnest Andersen, The Last of the Pioneers, page 92:

     Dr. Strang was the superintendent of the Home Missionary Work. He took a liking to Stanley and told him that they would give him work in the ministry, if he would ride the circuit.

2. (slang) To move someone who has been arrested from police station to police station, thereby hindering release.
   • 1949, Raymond Chandler, The Little Sister, page 197:

     “But we don't have to. We can ride the circuit with you. It might take days."

Related terms

• circuit rider