Transport – English idioms and sayings

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Question English Answer English
An event in a public place where people sell their unwanted possessions, often from the backs of their cars.
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car boot sale
You can buy a lot of funny things on the car boot sale.
If you are in a difficult situation you will go anywhere for help.
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any port in a storm
I don't really like asking my parents for help, but any port in a storm.
Sometime in the future.
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down the road
I have to get a driving licence down the road.
The point where it is no longer possible to continue with a process or activity.
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end of the line/road
This project has reached the end of the line. It's ready.
An idea which shows a lot of imagination but which is not practical.
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flight of fancy
I think our new car was just a flight of fancy, we didn't really need it.
This idiom describes a road accident in which the driver who caused the accident drives away without helping the other people involved and without telling the police.
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hit and run
One of the worst things that can happen on your holiday is to have a hit and run accident.
Something that is needed.
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just the ticket
Thank you, the hummer was just the ticket.
This idiom describes a person, organization, opinion or type of entertainment that is not extreme and is acceptable to or liked by most people.
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middle of the road
Ok, we will listen to Beatles, everybody likes them, they're so middle of the road.
A place where few people go, far from any main roads and towns.
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off the beaten track
It's a great place for a real explorer, it's so off the beaten track.
If something is on track it's making progress and is likely to achieve something.
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on track
I think my new company is on track and it will soon succeed.
An impolite way of telling someone to go away.
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On yer bike!
I tried to help him, but he just said “O yer bike!” and ran away.
One last alcoholic drink just before leaving.
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one for the road
I do understand you have to go, but let's have one for the road.
A tendency to think about only one subject.
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one track mind
He can only think about his car, he's a one track mind.
A place where you stop for a short time, especially on a journey.
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port of call
Our port of call for tonight is this cheap motel over there.
Someone who drives in a way which makes it impossible for other vehicles to go past.
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road hog
This lorry is a true road hog, I can't overtake it.
Said to tell someone that they must improve their performance or behaviour or they will have to leave.
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Shape up or ship out.
They told him to shape up or ship out.
The quickest and most direct route to achievement of a goal (especially business related).
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the fast track
I put this project on the fast track.
It is said to emphasize that you must not simply intend to behave well but you must act accordingly.
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The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
I told him I really meant to call him, but he replied that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
To be in the same situation (usually unpleasant) as other people.
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to be in the same boat
Don't worry, we'll figure something out, after all we are in the same boat.
To have a special position within an organization, or a special relationship with a person that gives you advantages that other people do not have.
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to be on the inside track
I have latest news quicker than most journalists, I'm on the special inside track.
To hide or conceal something.
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to cover one's tracks
I'm very good at covering my track, nobody can find me.
To negotiate prices or agreements in one's own favour.
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to drive a hard bargain
He drove a hard bargain but eventually got the pay rise.
To make someone very bored or very angry.
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to drive someone round the bend
This noise drives me round the bend!
To make someone extremely angry.
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to drive someone up the wall
My children sometimes drive me up the wall.
To start moving.
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to get on one's bike
You'd better get on your bike and go on holiday.
To attempt to make money quickly, easily, and often dishonestly.
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to get on the gravy train
I don't like him any more, he seems to have got on the gravy train.
To begin an activity that has been planned.
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to get the show on the road
Let's get the show on the road and have some drinks.
To start behaving in a way that is not generally acceptable, especially dishonestly or illegally.
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to go off the rails
I think our daughter's best friend went a bit off the rails recently.
To be really ugly.
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to have a face like the back end of a bus
My aunt has a face like the back end of the bus, maybe that is why she is a spinster.
To leave a place or begin a journey.
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to hit the road
It's high time we hit the road again!
To no longer know what is happening, or not to remember something.
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to lose track
I'm sorry, can your repeat, I lost the track.
To send someone away somewhere.
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to ship someone off
We have to ship our children off to grandparents and have some fun together.
To run away.
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to take flight
He took flight when he saw a group of three robbers.
To go on a journey without taking a lot of things with you.
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to travel light
I learned to travel light when I went to China.
At the highest level in a job or sport.
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top flight
This tennis racquet is an absolute top flight.
The connections that link the various parts of an event or argument together.
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train of thought
I just can't follow her train of thought.

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