Car idioms are fun and interesting phrases that use car-related words to express different ideas or feelings. Even kids can understand these phrases because they are used in everyday language. They are not just about cars, but about situations that can happen to anyone, anywhere.
Car Idioms
Here are 20 car idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
1. Backseat driver
Meaning: Someone who gives unwanted advice.
Example: He’s a backseat driver when his wife is driving.
2. Drive someone up the wall
Meaning: To annoy or irritate someone.
Example: Stop yelling! You’re driving me up the wall.
3. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: In control of a situation.
Example: Now that she’s promoted, she’s in the driver’s seat.
4. Hit the road
Meaning: To begin a journey.
Example: It’s time to hit the road and start our trip.
5. Running on empty
Meaning: Having no energy left.
Example: After the marathon, I was running on empty.
6. Fifth wheel
Meaning: An unnecessary person.
Example: I felt like a fifth wheel on their date.
7. Grease monkey
Meaning: A mechanic, especially for cars.
Example: He’s a skilled grease monkey at the garage.
8. On cruise control
Meaning: Doing something effortlessly.
Example: She’s on cruise control with her new project.
9. Burn rubber
Meaning: To drive very fast.
Example: He burned rubber when the light turned green.
10. Kick the tires
Meaning: To check something before buying it.
Example: Let’s kick the tires before we decide.
11. Road rage
Meaning: Anger caused by stressful driving situations.
Example: He got road rage in the traffic jam.
12. Take the wheel
Meaning: To take control or charge.
Example: You’re tired; let me take the wheel.
13. Full throttle
Meaning: With maximum energy or force.
Example: We are working full throttle on this project.
14. Pump the brakes
Meaning: Slow down or be cautious.
Example: Let’s pump the brakes on this idea.
15. Shift gears
Meaning: To change what you are doing.
Example: It’s time to shift gears in our strategy.
16. Spin one’s wheels
Meaning: To waste effort without making progress.
Example: He’s spinning his wheels in that job.
17. Throw a wrench
Meaning: To cause a plan to fail.
Example: His late arrival threw a wrench in our schedule.
18. Under the hood
Meaning: Looking into the details.
Example: Let’s look under the hood of this proposal.
19. Wheel and deal
Meaning: To negotiate actively and shrewdly.
Example: He loves to wheel and deal at the car lot.
20. Back on the road
Meaning: Returning to normal activities.
Example: After her illness, she’s back on the road.
