Railroaded: meaning, definitions and examples

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railroaded

 

[ ˈreɪlˌrɔrdɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

legal situation

To railroad someone is to rush them into a decision or action, often in a way that is unfair or unethical. This term is often used in legal contexts where an individual feels they have been treated unjustly or without proper process.

Synonyms

coerce, manipulate, pressure

Examples of usage

  • The defendant felt he was railroaded during the trial.
  • They railroaded the decision without allowing for proper discussion.
  • She accused the committee of trying to railroad her proposal.

Translations

Translations of the word "railroaded" in other languages:

🇵🇹 conduzido

🇮🇳 रेलवे ट्रैक पर चलाया गया

🇩🇪 eisenbahngesellschaft

🇮🇩 dikerahkan

🇺🇦 змушений

🇵🇱 wciągnięty

🇯🇵 鉄道に乗せられた

🇫🇷 contraint

🇪🇸 forzado

🇹🇷 zorlanan

🇰🇷 철도에 의해 강제로 이송된

🇸🇦 مُجبر

🇨🇿 nucený

🇸🇰 nucený

🇨🇳 被强迫的

🇸🇮 prisiljen

🇮🇸 þvingaður

🇰🇿 мәжбүрленген

🇬🇪 ბიძგი

🇦🇿 məcbur edilmiş

🇲🇽 forzado

Etymology

The term 'railroaded' originates from the practices associated with railroads in the 19th century, particularly in the United States. Railroads were critical in connecting various parts of the country and facilitating rapid development. However, the term quickly took on a negative connotation, as it came to symbolize the way decisions were made quickly and without due process, akin to how a train travels on its tracks with little regard for obstacles in its path. The metaphor draws on the image of being forced along a predetermined route, highlighting feelings of being trapped or guided without choice. The usage of the term expanded over time to encompass any situation where an individual feels rushed or forced into a decision or action without adequate opportunity for consideration.