Today, we’ll explore idioms related to journeys. These phrases might not involve literal roads, but they certainly capture the spirit of embarking on an adventure.
Let’s hit the road and discover the meanings behind these idioms!
A journey is like a winding road, with twists and turns, peaks and valleys, each step bringing you closer to your destination and teaching you valuable lessons along the way. For more comparisons to describe a journey, you can check this link: Similes for journey. And for a variety of metaphors related to a journey, you can explore this link: Metaphors for journey.
What is an Idiom for Journey?
Idioms for journeys are expressions that reflect the idea of setting off on a voyage, facing challenges, or taking a path in life.
They often draw inspiration from actual travel experiences or situations we encounter during a journey. Let’s break down these idioms one by one:
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Hit the Road | Begin a journey or adventure | After a quick breakfast, Sarah decided to hit the road and start her cross-country trip. |
| On the Road Again | Resume traveling, especially after a pause | After a short rest, the weary travelers were ready to be on the road again. |
| The Open Road | Feeling of freedom and endless possibilities | As they drove through the countryside, they embraced the beauty of the open road. |
| Take a Hike | Politely tell someone to leave or go away | When Mark kept complaining, his friends finally told him to take a hike. |
| Blaze a Trail | Be a pioneer or create a new path for others to follow | The innovative scientist aimed to blaze a trail in her field of research. |
| Break New Ground | Do something innovative or achieve something new | The young artist aimed to break new ground with her unique style of painting. |
| Pave the Way | Prepare the path or make things easier for future success | The dedicated teacher worked hard to pave the way for her students’ future success. |
| Off the Beaten Path | Go to a less-traveled or unconventional route | Instead of going to the touristy spots, they preferred to explore off the beaten path. |
| Follow in Someone’s Footsteps | Imitate or emulate someone’s actions or achievements | Young athletes often look up to their role models and strive to follow in their footsteps. |
| Travel Light | Pack only the essentials and not carry unnecessary baggage | For the backpacking trip, they decided to travel light to make their journey easier. |
| Path Less Traveled | Choose a less common or unconventional way of doing things | The entrepreneur decided to take the path less traveled and start her own business. |
| Forge Ahead | Continue moving forward despite challenges or obstacles | Despite the setbacks, the determined student decided to forge ahead and pursue her dreams. |
| Make a Pit Stop | Take a short break during a journey, often to refuel or rest | During the long road trip, they had to make a pit stop for snacks and rest. |
| Go the Extra Mile | Put in additional effort or do more than what is expected | To succeed in his career, John was always willing to go the extra mile to meet his goals. |
| Ride Shotgun | Sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle | Sarah was excited to ride shotgun on the way to the amusement park. |
| Walk a Tightrope | Balance precariously between two difficult situations | Managing work and family responsibilities can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope. |
| Roll Out the Red Carpet | Welcome or treat someone with great hospitality and respect | The hotel staff was ready to roll out the red carpet for their special guests. |
| Burn the Midnight Oil | Work late into the night or put in extra hours of effort | She had to burn the midnight oil to finish her project before the deadline. |
| Journey of a Thousand Miles… | Every great journey or achievement starts with a small, initial action | Starting to learn a new language may seem daunting, but remember, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. |
| Take the Scenic Route | Choose a longer, more picturesque path rather than the quickest one | Instead of taking the highway, they decided to take the scenic route and enjoy the beautiful countryside. |
| In the Driver’s Seat | Be in control or in charge of a situation | With her new promotion, Emily found herself in the driver’s seat of her career. |
| In the Passenger Seat | Be a passive observer or not actively involved in a situation | During the project presentation, John felt like he was just in the passenger seat, not contributing much. |
| Keep on Trucking | Persist or continue despite difficulties or challenges | When things get tough, just keep on trucking, and you’ll eventually reach your goals. |
| Catch a Ride | Get a lift or a ride from someone | Since her car broke down, she had to catch a ride with her neighbor to get to work. |
| Fly the Friendly Skies | Travel by airplane in a pleasant and enjoyable manner | Despite the long flight, they were excited to fly the friendly skies and explore a new destination. |
| Hitch a Ride | Request or find a way to get a ride from someone | If you’re going to the concert, can I hitch a ride with you? |
| Hit the Trail | Begin a hike or a journey on foot, especially in a natural setting | As the sun rose, they were ready to hit the trail and explore the scenic forest. |
Idioms for Journey
1. Hit the Road
Meaning: To begin a journey or set out on an adventure.
In a Sentence: After a quick breakfast, Sarah decided to hit the road and start her cross-country trip.
2. On the Road Again
Meaning: To resume traveling, especially after a pause.
In a Sentence: After a short rest, the weary travelers were ready to be on the road again.
3. The Open Road
Meaning: The feeling of freedom and endless possibilities that come with traveling.
In a Sentence: As they drove through the countryside, they embraced the beauty of the open road.
4. Take a Hike
Meaning: A polite way of telling someone to leave or go away.
In a Sentence: When Mark kept complaining, his friends finally told him to take a hike.
5. Blaze a Trail
Meaning: To be a pioneer or create a new path for others to follow.
In a Sentence: The innovative scientist aimed to blaze a trail in her field of research.
6. Break New Ground
Meaning: To do something innovative or achieve something that has never been done before.
In a Sentence: The young artist aimed to break new ground with her unique style of painting.
7. Pave the Way
Meaning: To prepare the path or make things easier for future developments or success.
In a Sentence: The dedicated teacher worked hard to pave the way for her students’ future success.
8. Off the Beaten Path
Meaning: To go to a less-traveled or unconventional route.
In a Sentence: Instead of going to the touristy spots, they preferred to explore off the beaten path.
9. Follow in Someone’s Footsteps
Meaning: To imitate or emulate someone’s actions or achievements.
In a Sentence: Young athletes often look up to their role models and strive to follow in their footsteps.
10. Travel Light
Meaning: To pack only the essentials and not carry unnecessary baggage.
In a Sentence: For the backpacking trip, they decided to travel light to make their journey easier.
11. Path Less Traveled
Meaning: To choose a less common or unconventional way of doing things.
In a Sentence: The entrepreneur decided to take the path less traveled and start her own business.
12. Forge Ahead
Meaning: To continue moving forward despite challenges or obstacles.
In a Sentence: Despite the setbacks, the determined student decided to forge ahead and pursue her dreams.
13. Make a Pit Stop
Meaning: To take a short break during a journey, often to refuel or rest.
In a Sentence: During the long road trip, they had to make a pit stop for snacks and rest.
14. Go the Extra Mile
Meaning: To put in additional effort or do more than what is expected.
In a Sentence: To succeed in his career, John was always willing to go the extra mile to meet his goals.
15. Ride Shotgun
Meaning: To sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle.
In a Sentence: Sarah was excited to ride shotgun on the way to the amusement park.
16. Walk a Tightrope
Meaning: To balance precariously between two difficult situations or choices.
In a Sentence: Managing work and family responsibilities can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope.
17. Roll Out the Red Carpet
Meaning: To welcome or treat someone with great hospitality and respect.
In a Sentence: The hotel staff was ready to roll out the red carpet for their special guests.
18. Burn the Midnight Oil
Meaning: To work late into the night or put in extra hours of effort.
In a Sentence: She had to burn the midnight oil to finish her project before the deadline.
19. Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step
Meaning: Every great journey or achievement starts with a small, initial action.
In a Sentence: Starting to learn a new language may seem daunting, but remember, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
20. Take the Scenic Route
Meaning: To choose a longer, more picturesque path rather than the quickest one.
In a Sentence: Instead of taking the highway, they decided to take the scenic route and enjoy the beautiful countryside.
21. In the Driver’s Seat
Meaning: To be in control or in charge of a situation.
In a Sentence: With her new promotion, Emily found herself in the driver’s seat of her career.
22. In the Passenger Seat
Meaning: To be a passive observer or not actively involved in a situation.
In a Sentence: During the project presentation, John felt like he was just in the passenger seat, not contributing much.
23. Keep on Trucking
Meaning: To persist or continue despite difficulties or challenges.
In a Sentence: When things get tough, just keep on trucking, and you’ll eventually reach your goals.
24. Catch a Ride
Meaning: To get a lift or a ride from someone.
In a Sentence: Since her car broke down, she had to catch a ride with her neighbor to get to work.
25. Fly the Friendly Skies
Meaning: To travel by airplane in a pleasant and enjoyable manner.
In a Sentence: Despite the long flight, they were excited to fly the friendly skies and explore a new destination.
26. Hitch a Ride
Meaning: To request or find a way to get a ride from someone.
In a Sentence: If you’re going to the concert, can I hitch a ride with you?
27. Hit the Trail
Meaning: To begin a hike or a journey on foot, especially in a natural setting.
In a Sentence: As the sun rose, they were ready to hit the trail and explore the scenic forest.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
- Question: What does the idiom “Hit the Road” mean?
- A) To take a long nap
- B) To begin a journey or adventure
- C) To go shopping
- D) To cook a meal
- Question: Which idiom means “To resume traveling, especially after a pause”?
- A) Take a Hike
- B) Blaze a Trail
- C) On the Road Again
- D) Pave the Way
- Question: If someone tells you to “Take a Hike,” what are they asking you to do?
- A) Start a new job
- B) Leave or go away
- C) Go for a swim
- D) Climb a mountain
- Question: What does it mean to “Blaze a Trail”?
- A) To create a new path for others to follow
- B) To extinguish a fire
- C) To get lost in the woods
- D) To follow a well-worn path
- Question: Which idiom encourages you to “Go the Extra Mile”?
- A) To take a short break
- B) To put in additional effort
- C) To travel light
- D) To go on a road trip
- Question: If you “Roll Out the Red Carpet” for someone, what are you doing?
- A) Preparing for a special guest with hospitality and respect
- B) Cleaning the floor
- C) Asking them to leave
- D) Telling a secret
- Question: What does it mean to “Burn the Midnight Oil”?
- A) To start a fire at night
- B) To sleep deeply
- C) To work late into the night or put in extra hours
- D) To read a book before bedtime
- Question: Which idiom suggests that “Every great journey or achievement starts with a small, initial action”?
- A) Make a Pit Stop
- B) Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step
- C) Take the Scenic Route
- D) Walk a Tightrope
- Question: What does “In the Driver’s Seat” mean?
- A) To be in control or in charge of a situation
- B) To sit in the back of a car
- C) To be lost in thought
- D) To be a passenger
- Question: If you are told to “Keep on Trucking,” what should you do?
- A) Stop what you’re doing
- B) Persist or continue despite difficulties or challenges
- C) Take a nap
- D) Go for a walk
Answers:
- B) To begin a journey or adventure
- C) On the Road Again
- B) Leave or go away
- A) To create a new path for others to follow
- B) To put in additional effort
- A) Preparing for a special guest with hospitality and respect
- C) To work late into the night or put in extra hours
- B) Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step
- A) To be in control or in charge of a situation
- B) Persist or continue despite difficulties or challenges
Conclusion
These idioms for journeys add a dash of excitement and vividness to our language. While they may not involve literal journeys, they capture the essence of setting off on new adventures, overcoming challenges, and embracing the spirit of exploration.
