Idioms are phrases that don’t mean what they say literally. They often carry a figurative or metaphorical meaning, adding color and depth to our language.
When it comes to idioms about cars, they’re a part of everyday speech, even if we’re not always aware of it.
Cars are like speedy rockets, rushing down the street with a roar. Find more comparisons for cars here: Similes for Cars. If you’re interested in metaphorical descriptions of cars, you can explore them here: Metaphors for Cars.
What is an idiom for cars?
Idioms for cars are expressions or phrases that use terms related to automobiles to convey a particular meaning or idea.
These idioms often draw parallels between driving experiences and everyday situations, offering a unique perspective on various aspects of life.
Summary
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Hit the road | To leave or start a journey. | After packing up the car, it was time to hit the road for our family vacation. |
| Running on fumes | Operating with very little fuel or energy left. | After a long day at work, I was running on fumes and couldn’t wait to get home. |
| Backseat driver | Someone who gives unwanted advice or criticism, especially while not in control. | I can’t stand being a passenger with my brother driving; he’s such a backseat driver. |
| Off to the races | To begin something energetically or enthusiastically. | Once the project was approved, the team was off to the races, working tirelessly. |
| In the driver’s seat | To be in control or in charge of a situation. | With his promotion, John finally felt like he was in the driver’s seat of his career. |
| Drive someone up the wall | To annoy or irritate someone greatly. | The constant noise from the construction site was driving me up the wall. |
| Running like a well-oiled machine | Operating smoothly and efficiently. | Thanks to the new management system, the office was running like a well-oiled machine. |
| Put the pedal to the metal | To go as fast as possible. | We were running late, so I put the pedal to the metal to get to the airport on time. |
| Running on empty | Operating with no resources or energy left. | After studying all night for the exam, I felt like I was running on empty. |
| On the road again | Resuming a journey or returning to a familiar activity. | After recovering from his illness, Grandpa was excited to be on the road again. |
| Back on track | To return to the correct path or direction. | After a brief setback, Sarah was determined to get her project back on track. |
| Grease monkey | A person who works on cars, especially as a mechanic. | My uncle is a skilled grease monkey; he can fix any car problem in no time. |
| Burn rubber | To accelerate quickly, causing the tires to spin and leave skid marks on the road. | The teenager couldn’t resist the urge to burn rubber when he got behind the wheel. |
| Flat out | To work or move at maximum capacity or speed. | We were flat out trying to finish the project before the deadline. |
| Under the hood | Referring to the internal workings or mechanisms of something, especially a car. | The mechanic checked under the hood to diagnose the problem with the engine. |
| Kick it into high gear | To increase speed or effort, especially to deal with a challenging situation. | With only a week left before the exams, Sarah knew she had to kick her studying into high gear. |
| Road hog | A driver who takes up too much space on the road, often driving inconsiderately. | The road hog in front of us was driving so slowly that we couldn’t pass him. |
| Shift gears | To change focus or approach. | After finishing her degree, Mary decided to shift gears and pursue a career in photography. |
| Breakneck speed | Extremely fast or dangerously quick. | The roller coaster descended at breakneck speed, thrilling and terrifying the riders. |
| Jump-start | To start or restart something quickly or forcefully. | The new marketing campaign helped jump-start sales for the struggling company. |
| Back in the saddle | Returning to a familiar activity or routine after a break or setback. | After taking a year off to travel, Sarah was excited to be back in the saddle at her old job. |
| Steering clear | To avoid or stay away from something or someone. | After the argument, Mark decided to steer clear of his coworker to avoid any further conflict. |
| Top gear | Operating at maximum efficiency or capacity. | With the new software updates, our computers are now running in top gear, improving productivity. |
| Brake the news | To deliver bad or unwelcome news. | It was difficult for Sarah to brake the news to her parents that she had failed her driving test. |
| Hit the brakes | To suddenly slow down or stop, especially to avoid a collision. | When the deer darted onto the road, I had to hit the brakes to avoid hitting it. |
Car Idioms
1. Hit the road
Meaning: To leave or start a journey.
In a Sentence: After packing up the car, it was time to hit the road for our family vacation.
2. Running on fumes
Meaning: Operating with very little fuel or energy left.
In a Sentence: After a long day at work, I was running on fumes and couldn’t wait to get home and relax.
3. Backseat driver
Meaning: Someone who gives unwanted advice or criticism, especially while not being in control.
In a Sentence: I can’t stand being a passenger with my brother driving; he’s such a backseat driver, always telling me how to drive!
4. Off to the races
Meaning: To begin something energetically or enthusiastically.
In a Sentence: Once the project was approved, the team was off to the races, working tirelessly to meet the deadline.
5. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: To be in control or in charge of a situation.
In a Sentence: With his promotion, John finally felt like he was in the driver’s seat of his career.
6. Drive someone up the wall
Meaning: To annoy or irritate someone greatly.
In a Sentence: The constant noise from the construction site was driving me up the wall; I couldn’t concentrate at all.
7. Running like a well-oiled machine
Meaning: Operating smoothly and efficiently.
In a Sentence: Thanks to the new management system, the office was running like a well-oiled machine, with tasks being completed seamlessly.
8. Put the pedal to the metal
Meaning: To go as fast as possible.
In a Sentence: We were running late, so I put the pedal to the metal to get to the airport on time.
9. Running on empty
Meaning: Operating with no resources or energy left.
In a Sentence: After studying all night for the exam, I felt like I was running on empty and could barely keep my eyes open.
10. On the road again
Meaning: Resuming a journey or returning to a familiar activity.
In a Sentence: After recovering from his illness, Grandpa was excited to be on the road again, visiting all his favorite places.
11. Back on track
Meaning: To return to the correct path or direction.
In a Sentence: After a brief setback, Sarah was determined to get her project back on track and meet the deadline.
12. Grease monkey
Meaning: A person who works on cars, especially as a mechanic.
In a Sentence: My uncle is a skilled grease monkey; he can fix any car problem in no time.
13. Burn rubber
Meaning: To accelerate quickly, causing the tires to spin and leave skid marks on the road.
In a Sentence: The teenager couldn’t resist the urge to burn rubber when he got behind the wheel of his new sports car.
14. Flat out
Meaning: To work or move at maximum capacity or speed.
In a Sentence: We were flat out trying to finish the project before the deadline.
15. Under the hood
Meaning: Referring to the internal workings or mechanisms of something, especially a car.
In a Sentence: The mechanic checked under the hood to diagnose the problem with the engine.
16. Kick it into high gear
Meaning: To increase speed or effort, especially to deal with a challenging situation.
In a Sentence: With only a week left before the exams, Sarah knew she had to kick her studying into high gear.
17. Road hog
Meaning: A driver who takes up too much space on the road, often driving inconsiderately.
In a Sentence: The road hog in front of us was driving so slowly that we couldn’t pass him.
18. Shift gears
Meaning: To change focus or approach.
In a Sentence: After finishing her degree, Mary decided to shift gears and pursue a career in photography.
19. Breakneck speed
Meaning: Extremely fast or dangerously quick.
In a Sentence: The roller coaster descended at breakneck speed, thrilling and terrifying the riders at the same time.
20. Jump-start
Meaning: To start or restart something quickly or forcefully.
In a Sentence: The new marketing campaign helped jump-start sales for the struggling company.
21. Back in the saddle
Meaning: Returning to a familiar activity or routine after a break or setback.
In a Sentence: After taking a year off to travel, Sarah was excited to be back in the saddle at her old job.
22. Steering clear
Meaning: To avoid or stay away from something or someone.
In a Sentence: After the argument, Mark decided to steer clear of his coworker to avoid any further conflict.
23. Top gear
Meaning: Operating at maximum efficiency or capacity.
In a Sentence: With the new software updates, our computers are now running in top gear, improving productivity.
24. Brake the news
Meaning: To deliver bad or unwelcome news.
In a Sentence: It was difficult for Sarah to brake the news to her parents that she had failed her driving test.
25. Hit the brakes
Meaning: To suddenly slow down or stop, especially to avoid a collision.
In a Sentence: When the deer darted onto the road, I had to hit the brakes to avoid hitting it.
Here are 10 quizzes about the idioms mentioned in the article:
Quiz 1:
- What does the idiom “Hit the road” mean?
- A) To start a journey.
- B) To stop driving.
- C) To sleep in the car.
- D) To clean the car.
Quiz 2:
- If someone is “Running on fumes,” what does it imply?
- A) They have plenty of energy.
- B) They are operating with very little fuel or energy left.
- C) They are resting comfortably.
- D) They are running a marathon.
Quiz 3:
- What does the term “Backseat driver” refer to?
- A) A professional chauffeur.
- B) Someone who gives unwanted advice or criticism while not in control.
- C) A person who enjoys driving.
- D) A car mechanic.
Quiz 4:
- If someone is “Off to the races,” what are they doing?
- A) Playing video games.
- B) Beginning something energetically or enthusiastically.
- C) Watching a sports event.
- D) Sleeping.
Quiz 5:
- What does it mean to be “In the driver’s seat”?
- A) To be a passenger in a car.
- B) To be in control or in charge of a situation.
- C) To be lost on the road.
- D) To be a professional driver.
Quiz 6:
- If something is “Running like a well-oiled machine,” what does it imply?
- A) It is malfunctioning.
- B) It is operating smoothly and efficiently.
- C) It needs repairs.
- D) It is noisy.
Quiz 7:
- What does the idiom “Put the pedal to the metal” mean?
- A) To drive slowly.
- B) To go as fast as possible.
- C) To stop driving.
- D) To park the car.
Quiz 8:
- If someone is “Running on empty,” what does it mean?
- A) They have plenty of resources.
- B) They are operating with no resources or energy left.
- C) They are sleeping.
- D) They are exercising.
Quiz 9:
- What does the expression “On the road again” signify?
- A) Resuming a journey or returning to a familiar activity.
- B) Staying at home.
- C) Driving for the first time.
- D) Walking on a sidewalk.
Quiz 10:
- If someone is “Back on track,” what does it mean?
- A) They are lost.
- B) They are beginning something.
- C) They are returning to the correct path or direction.
- D) They are traveling.
Conclusion:
Understanding idioms related to cars can add color to your language skills. While these phrases might seem unrelated to driving, they’re commonly used in everyday conversation.
