Cars are an important part of many people’s lives. They help us travel to school, visit friends, and go on trips. Because cars are used so much, people have created special phrases called idioms that use car words to explain ideas in fun ways. These idioms help us talk about things like moving forward, being quick, or making choices.
In this article, you will learn about 30 common idioms that come from cars. Each idiom has a meaning and examples to show how it is used. You will also have a short activity to find some idioms in a story. This will help you understand how these phrases fit into everyday talking. By the end, you will know many new idioms about cars that make speaking and writing more interesting.
Idioms for Cars
1. Hit the road
Meaning: To start a trip or leave a place.
Samples: We packed our bags and hit the road early in the morning. / After the party, everyone hit the road to go home.
To Put it Another Way: Start traveling. / Leave the place.
2. Backseat driver
Meaning: Someone who gives unwanted advice, especially while someone else is driving.
Samples: My little brother is a backseat driver and keeps telling me how to drive. / Don’t be a backseat driver; let me focus on the road.
To Put it Another Way: Giving advice when not asked. / Telling others what to do.
3. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: Being in control of a situation.
Samples: After the promotion, she was in the driver’s seat at work. / When the team leader left, he took the driver’s seat for the project.
To Put it Another Way: In charge. / Controlling things.
4. Step on the gas
Meaning: To go faster or hurry up.
Samples: The race car driver stepped on the gas to win the race. / We need to step on the gas if we want to finish on time.
To Put it Another Way: Move faster. / Hurry up.
5. Run out of gas
Meaning: To lose energy or stop working.
Samples: After playing all day, I ran out of gas and needed a rest. / The old car ran out of gas in the middle of the street.
To Put it Another Way: Get tired. / Stop working.
6. On the right track
Meaning: Doing something correctly or heading in the right direction.
Samples: You’re on the right track with your homework. / The new plan is on the right track to success.
To Put it Another Way: Doing well. / Going the correct way.
7. Put the brakes on
Meaning: To stop or slow down something.
Samples: We need to put the brakes on spending money. / The school put the brakes on the field trip because of rain.
To Put it Another Way: Stop or slow down. / Pause an activity.
8. Drive someone crazy
Meaning: To annoy or bother someone a lot.
Samples: The loud music drives me crazy. / My little sister drives me crazy when she takes my toys.
To Put it Another Way: Annoy a lot. / Make someone upset.
9. Gear up
Meaning: To get ready for something.
Samples: We are gearing up for the big game tomorrow. / The team geared up before the match started.
To Put it Another Way: Prepare. / Get ready.
10. Take a back seat
Meaning: To accept a less important role.
Samples: He took a back seat during the project and let others lead. / Sometimes it’s okay to take a back seat and listen.
To Put it Another Way: Let others lead. / Be less important.
11. Full throttle
Meaning: Going as fast or as hard as possible.
Samples: The runners went full throttle at the finish line. / We worked full throttle to finish the project on time.
To Put it Another Way: At full speed. / Doing something with all your effort.
12. Jumpstart
Meaning: To start something quickly or give it new energy.
Samples: We need to jumpstart our practice if we want to win. / The new ideas jumpstarted the club’s success.
To Put it Another Way: Start fast. / Give new energy.
13. Hit the brakes
Meaning: To stop suddenly or slow down quickly.
Samples: The driver hit the brakes when a dog crossed the street. / I had to hit the brakes when I forgot my homework.
To Put it Another Way: Stop fast. / Slow down quickly.
14. Road rage
Meaning: Anger shown by drivers when they are frustrated on the road.
Samples: He showed road rage when another car cut him off. / It’s not good to have road rage while driving.
To Put it Another Way: Anger while driving. / Getting upset on the road.
15. Take the wheel
Meaning: To take control or lead.
Samples: When the teacher was absent, the student took the wheel. / It’s your turn to take the wheel on this project.
To Put it Another Way: Lead. / Be in charge.
16. Put the pedal to the metal
Meaning: To go very fast.
Samples: The driver put the pedal to the metal and sped down the highway. / We need to put the pedal to the metal to finish on time.
To Put it Another Way: Go very fast. / Speed up completely.
17. Run a tight ship
Meaning: To manage something carefully and strictly.
Samples: The coach runs a tight ship during practice. / Our principal runs a tight ship at school.
To Put it Another Way: Manage carefully. / Be strict with rules.
18. Take a spin
Meaning: To go for a short drive.
Samples: Let’s take a spin around the neighborhood. / I took a spin in my dad’s car after school.
To Put it Another Way: Go for a short drive. / Drive around briefly.
19. In the fast lane
Meaning: Living or moving quickly, sometimes dangerously.
Samples: He lives in the fast lane with lots of activities. / Don’t always live in the fast lane; slow down sometimes.
To Put it Another Way: Moving fast. / Living quickly.
20. Back on track
Meaning: Returning to the right course or plan.
Samples: After a mistake, the team got back on track. / I’m back on track with my homework after being sick.
To Put it Another Way: Return to right path. / Start doing well again.
21. Off the road
Meaning: Not working or no longer active.
Samples: The old bike is off the road and needs repairs. / The company went off the road after the new rules.
To Put it Another Way: Not working. / Stopped.
22. Kick-start
Meaning: To start something with energy or excitement.
Samples: We kick-started the party with fun games. / The coach’s speech kick-started the team’s practice.
To Put it Another Way: Start with energy. / Begin excitedly.
23. Hit the gas
Meaning: To speed up or go faster.
Samples: We hit the gas to get to school on time. / The driver hit the gas at the green light.
To Put it Another Way: Go faster. / Speed up.
24. Off the beaten path
Meaning: In a place that is not well known or usual.
Samples: We found a cool park off the beaten path. / The road trip took us off the beaten path for new sights.
To Put it Another Way: Unusual place. / Not common route.
25. Steer clear of
Meaning: To avoid something or someone.
Samples: I try to steer clear of trouble at school. / She steered clear of the wet floor to avoid slipping.
To Put it Another Way: Avoid. / Stay away from.
26. Put the car in park
Meaning: To stop and be ready to stay still.
Samples: We put the car in park before getting out. / Always put the car in park when you stop on a hill.
To Put it Another Way: Stop the car. / Get ready to stay still.
27. Shift gears
Meaning: To change how you do something.
Samples: We shifted gears and tried a new study method. / The team shifted gears after halftime to play better.
To Put it Another Way: Change approach. / Do something differently.
28. Take a detour
Meaning: To take a different path or change your plan.
Samples: We took a detour because of the road construction. / Sometimes it’s good to take a detour and explore new places.
To Put it Another Way: Change route. / Find another way.
29. Hit the curb
Meaning: To make a mistake or crash slightly.
Samples: The driver hit the curb while parking. / I hit the curb when riding my bike too close to the sidewalk.
To Put it Another Way: Make a small crash. / Hit the edge of the road.
30. Drive home
Meaning: To make a point clear or easy to understand.
Samples: The teacher drove home the lesson with examples. / Mom drove home the rules before the trip.
To Put it Another Way: Explain clearly. / Make something easy to get.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Cars
Last Saturday, my family decided to take a road trip to the beach. My dad told me to hit the road early so we could get there before lunch. On the way, my little brother kept being a backseat driver, telling Dad how to drive. It was funny but a little annoying.
At one point, we had to take a detour because the main road was closed for construction. Mom said, “Don’t worry, this will be fun!” After a while, Dad told us he needed to put the brakes on and stop at a rest area. We all stretched our legs and grabbed snacks.
After the break, Dad said he was in the driver’s seat and ready to finish the trip. We were all excited. Near the beach, Dad had to hit the brakes quickly because a squirrel ran across the road! When we arrived, Mom said we should take a spin around the park before setting up our spot.
While walking, Dad warned us to steer clear of the wet grass so we wouldn’t slip. At the end of the day, Dad told me I was ready to take the wheel next time and drive the car around the neighborhood!
Task:
Underline or list all the idioms about cars that you found in the story.
Answer Key
- Hit the road
- Backseat driver
- Take a detour
- Put the brakes on
- In the driver’s seat
- Hit the brakes
- Take a spin
- Steer clear of
- Take the wheel
Conclusion
Idioms about cars help us talk about many ideas in fun and easy ways. These phrases use car words to explain things like moving forward, being in charge, or slowing down. Learning these idioms can make your speaking and writing more interesting.
When you use car idioms, you can describe feelings and actions in a new way that people understand better. Whether you are ready to hit the road or take the wheel, knowing these idioms gives you new ways to express yourself clearly and simply.
