What it Means to be a "Ride or Die" Friend or Partner

• “Ride or die” refers to someone who’s always there for you, through the highs and the lows. Someone you can rely on is called your “ride or die.”
• “Ride or die chick” is a term commonly used in hip-hop circles to describe a fiercely loyal female partner.
• Use “ride or die” to describe your closest friends, or use it to describe how devoted you are to something or someone, e.g., “I’m ride or die for her.”

“Ride or Die” Definition & Usage

“Ride or die” refers to someone who’s loyal no matter what. When time gets tough, a ride-or-die person stays by your side. They’re there through thick or thin, always helping you through your struggles. To put a finer point on it: they’ll always be next to you, riding in your proverbial passenger seat, till death do you part. Use “ride or die” to describe these close friends, or anyone you has your back. “Mary is my ride-or-die friend. She helped me get back on my feet when nobody else would.” “Those two are ride-or-die. I’ve never seen them apart.”

A “ride-or-die chick” is a woman who remains loyal to her partner. This term is often used in hip-hop circles to describe a close, unconditional romantic relationship. It’s especially relevant when describing someone who supports her partner in dangerous or illegal activities, essentially playing the role of his partner in crime. Bad or good, the ride-or-die chick is down for it. Use the term to describe someone who’s totally committed to their partner. “I heard she bailed him out of jail, so she’s definitely a ride-or-die chick.” “I’m your ride-or-die chick—I’m going to help you sort this out.”

Use “ride or die” to describe how devoted you are to something. Recently, ride or die goes beyond just people. Use it to emphasize how much you're into your hobbies or a particular book or film franchise. No matter how hard knitting that sweater gets, or no matter how bad the sequel turns out, you’re seeing it through to the end. You’re ride or die for it. “Yeah, the last book was terrible, but I’m ride or die for the series. I need to know how it ends.” “I’m a ride-or-die bird watcher. If I’m not watching birds I might as well be dead.”

Where “Ride or Die” Came From

“Ride or die” is most likely a nod to the crime duo Bonnie and Clyde. Bonnie and Clyde were a romantic criminal pair active in the ‘30s. Together they executed a number of high-profile robberies. In 1934, they were infamously apprehended and killed by the FBI while attempting to escape by car. The romanticized image of a pair of lovers running from the law only to be separated by death is likely the inspiration for the contemporary term “ride or die.”

The term might also borrow inspiration from motorcycle culture. Motorcycle enthusiasts or members of biker clubs cultivate fierce loyalty to other members of the club, as well as to the biker lifestyle. They likely picked up the term “ride or die” from hip-hop culture and adapted it to their own scene. In this context, “ride or die” tends to mean something like, “I’d rather die than not be able to ride my motorcycle.”

The phrase may have been coined by the rapper Baby Gangsta in 1997. In the late ‘90s, Baby Gangsta (or “B.G.”) released the song “Ride or Die,” featuring Lil Wayne and Juvenile. Many fans acknowledge this as one of the earliest, if not the earliest, uses of the term in hip-hop music. The song describes the various exploits of the rapper and his close group of friends. “Ride or die” was then further popularized by Jay-Z in 1998 when he released his own cover of B.G.’s hit.

"Ride or die" was likely popularized by Jay-Z and Beyoncé. In 2002, the famous hip hop duo released “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde,” a song that described the loyal and unbreakable relationship between the two artists, proclaiming how both are “down to ride ‘til the very end.” After the song was released, “ride or die” was swept into pop culture, where fans used it to describe their romantic partners or best friends.

Signs of a Ride or Die Friend or Partner

They’re always there to defend you. When someone’s talking smack about you, or your boss is being especially hard on you that week, your ride-or-die won’t hesitate to show up and give your enemies a piece of their mind. If you’re ever interrogated by the FBI, your ride-or-die would probably find some way to appear as your legal counsel. Nothing comes between you. Stand up for your friend or partner by cutting in when they find themself in an awkward or dangerous situation. Make an excuse to escort them away, then ask them how they’re feeling.

You’re always pushing each other to be better. Your ride-or-die doesn’t just pat you on the shoulder when times are tough. Instead, they pull you to your feet and give you their own shoulder to lean on. Offering encouragement is key to a ride-or-die relationship. After all, your ride or die wants to see you succeed no matter what, and they’ll do everything they can to make that happen for you. Praise your friends on their achievements whenever you can. A good ride-or-die doesn’t shy away from offering compliments. On the other hand, some people use a ride-or-die relationship to manipulate others. They’ll challenge your loyalty to get you to do something harmful. If your friend or partner does this, it might be best to walk away from the friendship.

You’re not afraid to be brutally honest with each other. Whether one of you is wearing a hideous outfit, or the other just did something that was pretty rude or unkind, you won’t hesitate to call it out and explain exactly what’s wrong with the situation. It’s not antagonistic, just that you and your ride or die communicate effectively; it’s why you’re so close. Of course, part of effective communication is setting boundaries for what kind of talk you will or won’t tolerate. Never tolerate someone who demeans or berates you.

You know your secrets are safe with them. They know you stole your ex’s designer jacket, but they’re not going to tell a soul. They also know that you sleep with 3 stuffed animals, that you only brush your teeth once a day, and why there’s a strange mound of dirt in your backyard. But they’re your ride or die exactly because they’d rather die than spill even your tamest secret. That said, some secrets just aren’t worth keeping. If your friend or partner does something dangerous or illegal, contact your guardian or the local authorities.

They’ll go anywhere with you. They’re always up to come with you to the movies, the DMV, or a graveyard at night. In a car chase, they’re riding shotgun and giving you updates on the baddies tailing you. Half of being ride or die is actually riding, and that means being down for any outing, big or small.