TRANSPORT IDIOMS & EXPRESSIONS
Idioms are colourful expressions we use all the time, which originally meant one thing, usually something specific, but now have a much wider meaning. An example is ‘taking a back seat’, which originally referred to passengers in vehicles, but now is commonly used when discussing a secondary or less important role in decision-making.
Some of these expressions (e.g. fast-track) are in very common use and may have even become standard vocabulary in themselves. Others still were originally a number of words that in recent times become joined together to create a new word, such as ‘onboarding’.
In this occasional series, we will present some of those idioms, grouped together for convenience into the general area where they originate, e.g. transport related, body-parts, animals, geography, and so on.
A word of warning: because non-native users of English may be unfamiliar with many idioms, we would advise using them only with an audience you are confident will understand them. However, it is extremely useful for you to know at least the more commonly used of those idioms, especially when you are doing business with native-speakers or high-level users.
Our series starts with Transport related idioms.
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· (Have) a bumpy ride |
Experience a difficult time – “With market demand for our products falling, we would be in for a very bumpy ride.” |
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· A long road ahead |
A lot of work and time before a project is completed. – “Although this venture has great potential, I see a long road ahead of us before we really succeed.” |
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· Be in for the long haul |
Start a long-term project or get involved in something with a view to staying for a long time – “This project will take years, so we need someone who is dedicated and has a long-term vision, and is prepared to be in for the long haul with us.” |
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· Create / draw up a roadmap |
Draw up a plan – “We need to create a roadmap for our advertising campaign for 2019, so that we know what we are doing each month.” |
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· Fast-track |
Speed up a process (v) – “Six months? That’s too long. Is there any way we can fast-track the process to finish it in three (months)?” A speeded-up process or action (adj.) – Very bright graduates with high grades are often placed on a fast-track promotion path. |
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· Go off the rails |
Go out of control – “If we don’t look for better prices from our suppliers, there’s a danger our spending could go completely off the rails.”
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· High-flying |
Very successful – Gordon was already a high-flying trader on Wall Street by the time he was 25 years old. |
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· In the driver’s seat |
Be in control – In the early years of Microsoft, Bill Gates was very much in the driver’s seat. |
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· Join the crew |
Join an organization or become involved in a project – “You have the kind of skills we need in this venture. Would you like to join our crew?” |
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· Offload |
Get rid of unproductive assets or close less productive outlets/branches – With the growth in online banking, many financial institutions have decided to offload a number of high-street branches. |
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· On track |
Be headed towards/for – “If we manage to increase last year’s sales figures by 15%, we will be on track to having our best year ever.” |
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· Onboarding |
Induction process for new employees in a company – “Our HR department has designed a new onboarding program to help new staff integrate quickly.” |
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· Plain sailing |
Free of any significant problems or obstacles – The first few months in any job are the hardest. After that, once you get used to how things work, it’s plain sailing. |
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· Sink without trace |
Disappear completely (e.g. from a market, sphere of activity, or range of products) – Digital audio tapes were a cool invention around 1984, but they were quickly overtaken by CDs and sank without trace shortly after that. |
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· Soft landing |
A conclusion or result where serious painful effects have been mostly avoided – “Most companies in our sector were affected by the recession, but thanks to the dedication of our team and careful financial management, we managed to have a soft landing.” |
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· Take a back seat |
Assume a less prominent or important role or degree of responsibility – For some time before his death, Steve Jobs took more of a back seat in Apple because of his failing health. |
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· Take off |
Become successful, usually in the case of a product line, a concept, or a venture – In the 1990s, no-one thought mobile phones would take off as much as they actually did. – The idea of online shopping has really taken off in recent years. |
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· Take on board |
Invite to join or accept onto a team or into an organization – “We are understaffed for this project. We need to take a few more people on board.” Take an idea or suggestion into account. – The new boss is always happy to take new ideas and suggestions on board. |
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· Weather the storm |
Resist various pressures to survive and even prosper – “It’s a tough job, we know, but if you can weather the storm of long hours and a heavy workload, the rewards are huge.” |
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· Welcome aboard |
Extend a welcome to someone joining an organization or project team – “We’ve decided to offer you the position … (you’re) welcome aboard!” |
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