The spelling of the phrase "most wife ridden" may seem confusing to some. The word "wife" is pronounced with a long "i" sound, represented in IPA as /waɪf/. The word "ridden" is pronounced with a short "i" sound, represented as /rɪdn/. Therefore, the phrase is properly pronounced as "mohst wahyf ri-dn," with emphasis on the first syllable of "ridden." This phrase is often used to describe a man who is overly controlled by his wife or has surrendered his independence to her.