ride the rods
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To travel illicitly by clinging to the supporting rods under a freight train.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
And a dangerous extracurricular activity had helped turn his muscles to iron: he “rode the rods” with other boys, clinging to the underframework of Union Pacific freight cars rumbling through Abilene.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “ride the rods” mean?
To travel illicitly by clinging to the supporting rods under a freight train.
Is “ride the rods” formal or informal?
ride the rods is generally slang.