as ever trod shoe-leather UK /əz ɛvə ˈtɹɒd ˈʃuːˌlɛðə/US /æz ɛvɚ ˈtɹɑd ˈʃuːˌlɛðɚ/ phrase1 •(no longer used) As ever existed or lived.As grate a rascal, as ever trod shoe-leather. — 1767