railroad v.
1. (US) to enforce a mild punishment by dragging the victim up and down along the floor until the seat of their trousers is worn through.
![[US]](/static/img/flags/us.png "United States") | Subterranean (N.Y.) 9 Dec. 1–2: These fellows, that is, as many of them as we detected in the act [of protesting], we pulled out of the bunks in which they lay, and taking them by each leg, ran them up and down the cabin floor, according to the manner termed ‘rail roading,’ until the seats were entirely worn out of their pantaloons. |
2. to hurry or rush somewhere.
| Galaxy (N.Y.) July 57: ‘Who’s payin’? I’m dead broke?’ ‘What! Cleaned out?’ ‘You bet. But if that dealer hadn’t railroaded, I’d a got square copperin’ the ace.’. | |
| Powers That Prey 198: If a kid is lookin’ for a place to get dead wise, let him railroad for dear old Chi. | |
 | Buffalo Sun. Morn. News (NY) 9 Feb. 14/2: If your enemy has political pull, you will be ‘railroaded’ to jail. | |
| ‘Lumberjack Lingo’ in AS VII:1 53: ‘Ballin’ the jack’ and ‘railroadin’ without steam’ mean going fast. |
3. (US) to use influence in the pursuit of personal interests.
| Buffalo Sun. Morn. News (NY) 9 Feb. 14/2: A bill that is passed [...] by wire-pulling is said to be ‘railroaded’. | |
| Tough Guy [ebook] Railroading him into The Office, putting him on the spot. | |
| ‘Razorback Sl.’ in AS L:1/2 64: railroadvt Use influence to secure a bid (for someone) from a fraternity or sorority. |
4. (US tramp) to ride a train.
| ‘Jargon of the Und.’ in DN V 460: Railroad, To ride a train. |
5. (US) to throw someone out of a city or town (on the railroad).
| Man’s Grim Justice 237: The first time yer seen with a grifter [...] yer going to be railroaded. |
6. (US prison) to smuggle drugs into a prison.
| Riker’s 3: [H]eroin and other drugs are freely ‘railroaded’ into Rikers Island. |