English idioms relating to TRAVEL - TRANSPORT

In the same boat If two or more parties in the same boat, they are in the same unpleasant
or difficult situation.
"When the factory closed down, the workers all found themselves in the
same boat.
Miss the boat If you miss the boat, you fail to take advantage of an opportunity because
you don't act quickly enough.
"I managed to get my order through before the end of the special offer - but
I nearly missed the boat!
Rock the boat If you tell someone not to rock the boat, you are asking them to do
nothing that might cause trouble or upset a stable situation.
"After the recent riots, it was decided not to rock the boat by introducing
strict measures.
Paddle one's own canoe If you paddle your own canoe, you do what you want to do without help
or interference from anyone.
"He decided to paddle his own canoe and set up his own company."
Put the cart before the horse A person who puts the cart before the horse is doing things in the wrong order.
"Building a school before knowing the age of the population is putting the cart
before the horse.
Drive a hard bargain A person who drives a hard bargain always makes sure they gain advantage
in a business deal.
"Be prepared for tough negotiations with Stuart - he drives a bard bargain."
Drive someone up the wall If somebody or something drives you up the wall, they do something
that greatly annoys or irritates you.
"I can't concentrate with all the noise - it's driving me up the wall!
Backseat driver A backseat driver is a passenger in a car who gives unwanted advice
to the driver.
"I can't stand backseat drivers like my mother-in-law!"
Jump on the bandwagon If a person or organization jumps on the bandwagon, they decide
to do something when it is already successful or fashionable.
"When organic food became popular, certain stores were quick to jump on
the bandwagon and promote it.
As much use as a handbrake on a canoe This expression refers to something which is completely useless or
serves no purpose.
"With no electricity, a refrigerator would be as much use as a
handbrake on a canoe. "
Fender bender This expression refers to a minor car accident in which there is little
damage and no injuries.
"It's hard to believe that a small fender bender can cause a major
traffic jam!"
On the home stretch To say that you're on the home stretch means that you are approaching
the end of something such as a task, a race or a journey.
"Don't give up - we're on the the home stretch now."
Itchy feet A person who has itchy feet is someone who wants to move
somewhere new or do something different.
Fall off the back of a lorry If you buy goods that have fallen off the back of a lorry, they are
stolen goods.
"Judging by the price of that camera, it must have fallen off the back
of a lorry!"
Any port in a storm When you are in difficulty, any port in a storm refers to a solution
you accept, which in normal circumstances you would find unacceptable.
"The hotel was substandard, but it was a case of any port in a storm;
all the others were full.
Take someone for a ride To take someone for a ride means to cheat or deceive them.
"I discovered he had charged me double the normal fee. He really
took me for a ride!"
Hit the road When you hit the road, you begin a journey.
"It's getting late and we've got a long way to go. Let's hit the road."
Road rage Aggressive driving habits sometimes resulting in violence against other
drivers.
"A number of car accidents today are a result of road rage."
Get the show on the road If you manage to put a plan or idea into action, you get the show
on the road.
"OK! We've got all we need, so let's get the show on the road!"
Sail through something If you sail through something, for example a test or an exam,
you succeed in doing it without difficulty.
"The English test was no problem for Tom. He sailed through it!"
Shank's pony If you go somewhere on Shank's pony, you have to walk rather than
travel by bus, car, etc.
"It was impossible to find a taxi after the party so it was Shank's pony
for us!
Like ships that pass in the night This expression is used to refer to people who meet briefly and are
not likely to meet again.
"The two men met once, like ships that pass in the night, and never
met again."
Live out of a suitcase Someone who lives out of a suitcase travels a lot, moving from
place to place, and is therefore restricted to the contents of their
suitcase.
"Sarah's new job involves so much travelling that she lives out of a
suitcase most of the time."
Train of thought A sequence of connected ideas is called a train of thought.
"I was considering the different options when the noise outside broke
my train of thought."
Gravy train If someone is on the gravy train, they have found an easy way
to make money, one that requires little effort and is without risk.
"Since the village has become fashionable he charges for every
photograph taken of his house - he's on the gravy train!"
Travel light When you travel light, you travel with as little luggage as possible.
"If you intend to go trekking, you'd better travel light."
Hitch one's wagon to a star Someone who hitches their wagon to a star has great ambitions
and is very determined to reach their goal.
"At an early age she decided to hitch her wagon to a star and become
rich and famous.
On the wagon Someone who is on the wagon is no longer drinking alcohol.
"No wine for me please. I'm on the wagon.