ride high —(also: ride high in the saddle)
1. have a period of success, popularity, etc.:
- The new government has been riding high in the polls for several months now.
2. (of a boat) sit high in the water:
- It was made of welded aluminum, stuffed with plenty of lightweight Styrofoam to make the boat ride high in the water.
Cf.: ride low—(of a boat) sit low in the water:
- Ballast water may also be carried so that a ship rides low enough in the water to pass under bridges.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase ride high on the hog—(coll., also: live high on the hog) live in a lavish or extravagant manner:
- Oh, yes, sometimes you ride high on the hog, but most of the time, you settle for the limits the world has placed on you.
ride tall —(also: walk tall) show dignity and self-respect:
- Doesn’t matter if you eat corn mash and saddle your own horse; you can still ride tall.