travel idioms

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

English By Day

Everything you need to know about learning english

103 Travel Idioms And Phrases (Meaning & Examples)

August 3, 2020 by Wes

Are you looking for some useful travel idioms to improve your English?

If so, you are in the right place.

In this post, we are going to look at 103 different travel idioms and how to use them.

Let’s get started…

1. Float One’s Boat

• Meaning : to make someone happy, excited or interested in something.
• Use In A Sentence : I don’t really want to go to Europe, but whatever floats your boat.

2. To Jump Ship

• Meaning : to suddenly stop doing something.
• Use In A Sentence : Joe was doing well on the project until he suddenly jumped ship without telling anyone.

3. One’s Train Of Thought

• Meaning : a person’s pattern of thoughts or sequence of thoughts on a matter.
• Use In A Sentence : I was making great progress until Mary came into my room and then I lost my train of thought.

4. To Step It Up A Gear

• Meaning : to work on something more effectively or with more energy than previously.
• Use In A Sentence : If you want this business to grow, you need to step it up a gear and start advertising.

5. Right Up One’s Alley

• Meaning : if something is up one’s alley it means it is something that appeals to them.
• Use In A Sentence : I didn’t like that movie, but I think it would be right up Amy’s alley. She likes romantic movies.

6. Just The Ticket

• Meaning : exactly what is needed or wanted.
• Use In A Sentence : That ham and cheese sandwich was just the ticket for lunch. I feel so much better now that I ate something.

7. A Mile A Minute

• Meaning : very fast.
• Use In A Sentence : I can’t keep up with Keith. He walks a mile a minute.

8. Bad News Travels Fast

• Meaning : bad news travels fast because people like to talk about these sorts of things.
• Use In A Sentence : How does everyone know that I got in trouble at school? Bad news travels fast I guess.

9. To Travel Light

• Meaning : to travel with very little luggage or baggage.
• Use In A Sentence : I always try to travel light because I hate having to check in my luggage at the airport.

10. To Go Off The Beaten Track

• Meaning : to travel to a place that isn’t well known or visited often by others.
• Use In A Sentence : I wanted to visit this lake on top of the mountain. It a little bit off the beaten track, but I heard it is beautiful.

11. Neck Of The Woods

• Meaning : an area or neighborhood nearby.
• Use In A Sentence : Hello Tom, tomorrow I am going to be up in your neck of the woods. Would you like to grab a cup of coffee ?

12. To Be Running On Fumes

• Meaning : to continue to do something even though one is extremely tired or lacking energy/enthusiasm.
• Use In A Sentence : We were running on fumes by the time we walked into our hotel room, but it was totally worth the trip up the mountain.

13. To Cover One’s Tracks

• Meaning : to hide one’s trail or footprints so as not to be followed.
• Use In A Sentence : We need to be careful to cover our tracks because I don’t want Mom finding out that we came up here.

14. To Lose Track Of Someone Or Something

• Meaning : to forget about someone/something. To misplace something. To lose contact with a person or friend.
• Use In A Sentence : I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve traveled to Europe.

15. To Be On Track

• Meaning : to do something as scheduled or planned.
• Use In A Sentence : If we can get to New Mexico by tonight, we will be right on track to get to Las Vegas by Wednesday.

16. To Have A One-Track Mind

• Meaning : to be fixated about one particular topic.
• Use In A Sentence : Fred has a one-track mind. All he ever talks about is sports.

17. To Go Off The Rails

• Meaning : used to describe a person that starts to behave strangely or uncontrollably.
• Use In A Sentence : I don’t know what happen to grandma. She started to go off the rails when she turned 65 years old.

18. At A Good Clip

• Meaning : quick or at a fast pace.
• Use In A Sentence : Wow we climbed that mountain at a good clip. It is only 11:30.

19. A Redeye Flight

• Meaning : a late-night flight. Usually, one that leaves really late at night and arrives early the next morning.
• Use In A Sentence : George caught a redeye flight from California to New York.

20. To Fly By The Seat Of One’s Pants

• Meaning : to rely on your judgment to do something that you have never done before.
• Use In A Sentence : Rather than sit down and think about something. Mary likes to fly by the seat of her pants and figure it out as she goes.

21. To Fly Under The Radar

• Meaning : to do something without being noticed.
• Use In A Sentence : Mark is a quiet person. He likes to fly under the radar and hope that nobody notices him.

22. Road Trip

• Meaning : a trip taken by car.
• Use In A Sentence : My wife and I hope to go on a road trip around the country before we are 30 years old.

23. To Be At A Crossroads

• Meaning : to be at a point where a decision has to be made.
• Use In A Sentence : After graduating from school, I am at a crossroads. I want to make the best decision for my future.

24. To Circle The Wagons

• Meaning : to become defensive.
• Use In A Sentence : Don’t circle your wagons. I am not accusing you of anything. I am just trying to find out what happened so that we can prevent it from happening again.

25. To Be In The Driver’s Seat

• Meaning : to be in control of a situation; to be in charge.
• Use In A Sentence : The company seems to be doing better ever since Jeff has been in the driver’s seat.

26. To Be In The Same Boat

• Meaning : to be in the same situation or problem as somebody else.
• Use In A Sentence : John and Mary are in the same boat. They both don’t like their jobs, but they are too afraid to quit.

27. To Jump/Leap/Climb On The Bandwagon

• Meaning : to start to follow something after it has become popular.
• Use In A Sentence : A few years ago, no one liked the Patriots. Now that they are winning, it seems like everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.

28. To Put The Brakes On Someone Or Something

• Meaning : to slow down or to stop some progress.
• Use In A Sentence : I don’t know why Jim decided to put the brakes on his business idea. I thought it had great potential.

29. That Ship Has Sailed

• Meaning : the opportunity has already passed; a missed opportunity.
• Use In A Sentence : Do you think there is still a chance that you could work for Greg? No, I am afraid that ship has sailed.

30. Backseat Driver

• Meaning : a passenger who tries to tell the driver how to drive. It can also refer to someone who always likes to take control of a situation.
• Use In A Sentence : Don’t be a backseat driver. I know how to drive.

31. Cool One’s Jets

• Meaning : to calm oneself down.
• Use In A Sentence : You need to take a moment and cool your jets. You aren’t thinking rationally right now.

32. Fall Off The Wagon

• Meaning : to return to practicing a damaging behavior. Examples: drinking, overeating, drub abuse, being lazy, etc.
• Use In A Sentence : Well it seems like Jerry has fallen off the wagon again. He doesn’t seem motivated to do anything.

33. A Country Mile

• Meaning : a long distance.
• Use In A Sentence : After the car ran out of gas, we had to walk a country mile to the nearest gas station.

34. A Fork In The Road

• Use In A Sentence : I am at a fork in the road. I can continue my schooling or I can start my own business. What do you think I should do?

35. To Hit A Roadblock

• Meaning : something has prevents you from making progress.
• Use In A Sentence : Dave was making good progress on the project, but it seems like he has hit some kind of roadblock.

36. To Hit The Road / To Hit The Trail

• Meaning : to leave. To start your trip.
• Use In A Sentence : Well, I guess we should hit the road if we want to get there before noon.

37. To Jump The Track

• Meaning : to suddenly change from one thought or activity to another.
• Use In A Sentence : It just wasn’t working for us so we decided to jump the track and try something different.

38. To Put The Pedal To The Metal

• Meaning : to drive as fast as you can.
• Use In A Sentence : Put the pedal to the metal or else we are going to be late.

39. Rocky Road

• Meaning : a difficult period of time.
• Use In A Sentence : Jack has been going down a rocky road ever since his move to LA.

40. Smooth Sailing

• Meaning : to make progress easily with little to no difficulty.
• Use In A Sentence : Initially, it was difficult to learn the new system. However, not it is nothing but smooth sailing for everyone.

41. Sunday Driver

• Meaning : an extremely slow driver. Someone who is driving slow to enjoy the view.
• Use In A Sentence : Sorry I am late. I got stuck behind some Sunday driver who didn’t want to let anyone pass.

42. The Jet Set

• Meaning : a group of rich people who like to travel the world.
• Use In A Sentence : His dream to join the jet-set came true after he was able to retire early.

43. A Wheel Within A Wheel

• Meaning : used to describe a situation or problem that is extremely complicated.
• Use In A Sentence : I can’t figure out this new computer system. It is really a wheel within a wheel . Can you help me?

44. To Throw Someone Under The Bus

• Meaning : to avoid blame or trouble for something by allowing someone else to take responsibility.
• Use In A Sentence : Mark always seems to throw me under the bus when something goes wrong.

45. A Tight Ship

• Meaning : A very well organized group of people.
• Use In A Sentence : I like working for Steve. He runs a tight ship.

46. To Miss The Boat/Bus

• Meaning : to miss out on something. To fail to take advantage of an opportunity.
• Use In A Sentence : You need to act fast or else you will miss the boat.

47. To Rock The Boat

• Meaning : to do something that will cause problems for others.
• Use In A Sentence : I don’t want to be difficult and rock the boat, but I can’t come into work tomorrow.

48. To Paddle One’s Own Canoe

• Meaning : to be independent.
• Use In A Sentence : Now that you are an adult, you are expected to paddle your own canoe. You can’t rely on your parents to make every decision for you.

49. To Drive Someone Up A Wall

• Meaning : to annoy or to irritate someone.
• Use In A Sentence : I don’t know about you, but every time she talks about work it drives me up a wall .

50. Hit The Beach

• Meaning : to go to the beach.
• Use In A Sentence : Do you have any plans for this weekend? If the weather is nice I would like to hit the beach before it starts to cool off.

51. Highways And Byways

• Meaning : major and minor roadways.
• Use In A Sentence : Mary spent the summer traveling all the highways and byways out West.

52. On The Home Stretch

• Meaning : the last part of a long journey.
• Use In A Sentence : We are on the home stretch. We have about 30 minutes before we get to our destination.

53. To Have Itchy Feet

• Meaning : used to describe a person who has the desire to travel.
• Use In A Sentence : Every time I go to the airport it gives me itchy feet to go somewhere new.

54. To Make One’s Way Back To Something

• Meaning : to slowly work one’s way back to something.
• Use In A Sentence : It was raining cats and dogs, but I slowly made my way back to the farm.

55. To Take Someone For A Ride

• Meaning : to deceive someone.
• Use In A Sentence : I can’t believe I let Joe take me for a ride like that. I should have known he wasn’t telling me the truth.

56. Road Rage

• Meaning : angry or violent behavior caused by stress from driving.
• Use In A Sentence : A driver who hit two people in a road rage attack has been arrested.

57. To Get The Show On The Road

• Meaning : to get things started. To start the journey. To begin to work.
• Use In A Sentence : Well, I guess we better get the show on the road if we want to be there before noon.

58. To Sail Close To The Wind

• Meaning : to do something that is risky or dangerous.
• Use In A Sentence : You are going to get yourself in trouble one day if you keep sailing close to the wind.

59. To Live Out Of A Suitcase

• Meaning : to briefly stay in several locations. Never staying in the same place long enough to unpack your bags.
• Use In A Sentence : I am tired of living out of a suitcase. I miss being at home.

60. To Hitch Your Wagon To A Star

• Meaning : to set high goals; to aim high.
• Use In A Sentence : My parents always encouraged me to hitch my wagon to a star and aim high in life. That is the reason I am where I am today.

61. Wheels Fell Off

• Meaning : slang for when an unexpected problem arises.
• Use In A Sentence : Everything was going as planned until the wheels fells off and we had to abort the mission.

62. Road Hog

• Meaning : a driver who takes up too much space making it difficult for others to pass.
• Use In A Sentence : This guy is a road hog. I can’t pass him.

63. To Send Flying

• Meaning : to cause something to be scattered about.
• Use In A Sentence : I quickly turned the corner and bumped into Mrs. Smith and sent all her books flying.

64. To Cross The Bridge When You Get To It

• Meaning : to address the problem when/if it happens, not before.
• Use In A Sentence : I am nervous that if Jack gets sick we will have to cancel our vacation. Well, we will cross that bridge when we get to it, but let’s not worry about it right now.

Additional Reading: 11 Useful Bridge Idioms – Meaning & Examples

65. All Hands On Deck

• Meaning : everyone needs to help with a certain task.
• Use In A Sentence : We only had half an hour before Mom and Dad are going to be here, it is all hands on deck . We need everybody’s help.

66. Bump In The Road

• Meaning : a problem that arises and slows down progress. Usually only temporary.
• Use In A Sentence : We hit a bump in the road when the materials were delayed 4 days, but in the end, we finished the project on time.

67. To Burn One’s Bridges

• Meaning : to do something that can’t be undone. Usually, it refers to leaving a situation (like a job) in an unfavorable way that you are no longer welcome back or you can no longer return. Opposite of building bridges .
• Use In A Sentence : Not only did he quit his job, but he started to work for our biggest competitor. He certainly burned his bridges. I hope it works out for him because he will never be able to work for us again.

68. To Give The Green Light To Someone

• Meaning : to give someone permission to do something.
• Use In A Sentence : Tom gave me the green light to tell the staff about the company’s upcoming projects.

69. To Go The Extra Mile

• Meaning : to do more than the necessary or to do more than expected to get something done.
• Use In A Sentence : Joe went the extra mile to make everything was perfect so that his wife would enjoy the trip.

70. To Be In One’s Wheelhouse

• Meaning : To be in one’s comfort zone or to match their abilities.
• Use In A Sentence : You need to get out of your wheelhouse and go meet new people.

71. Just Around The Corner

• Meaning : used to describe something that is going to happen very soon.
• Use In A Sentence : Our trip to the Bahamas is just around the corner. I can’t wait.

72. Light At The End Of The Tunnel

• Meaning : there is hope that a difficult situation is going to end very soon.
• Use In A Sentence : Now that the government is going to sit down and talk about it. There is finally light at the end of the tunnel that this situation will get better.

73. To Lower The Boom

• Meaning : to punish someone one. To put a stop to something someone is doing.
• Use In A Sentence : Mrs. Johnson lowered the boom on Jimmy and Byron for misbehaving during class.

74. To Be Off One’s Trolley

• Meaning : (slang) used to describe someone who is acting crazy or insane.
• Use In A Sentence : You must be off your trolley if you think you can get all that work done before Monday.

75. On The Fly

• Meaning : to do something quickly without much thought or planning in advance.
• Use In A Sentence : George just got up there and gave a speech on the fly.

76. Turn The Corner

• Meaning : to begin to see improvement in a difficult situation. 
• Use In A Sentence : After two days in the hospital, the doctor said that Jane has finally begun to turn the corner. He thinks she will be able to leave the hospital tomorrow.

77. Train Wreck

• Meaning : a major failure or complete disaster. It can also be used to describe a person whose life is in a complete mess.
• Use In A Sentence : The trip to the West coasts turned out to be a train wreck. Nothing went as planned.

78. Where The Rubber Meets The Road

• Meaning : a crucial test. The point where one’s efforts are put to the test.
• Use In A Sentence : This is where the rubber meets the road. Depending on how people react, we will know whether it was a good idea or not.

79. Walk The Plank

• Meaning : used to describe the action of forcing someone to accept the consequences of something.
• Use In A Sentence : Once we find the person who did this they will most certainly have to walk the plank.

80. Don’t Put The Cart Before The Horse

• Meaning : it is a nice way to tell someone to do things in the right order.
• Use In A Sentence : Don’t put the cart before the horse. First, look for a job that you like. After you have a job then you can start thinking about how you plan on spending your money.

81. To Spin One’s Wheels

• Meaning : to waste one’s time on something without seeing much progress.
• Use In A Sentence : Sam is just spinning his wheels. He isn’t getting anywhere in this job. He needs to look for something better.

82. To Take The High Road

• Meaning : to take a more ethical approach. An approach that is least likely to offend or upset others.
• Use In A Sentence : Even though Megan treated Paul bad at work. Paul decided to take the high road and not return the same treatment to her.

83. To Take The Wind Out Of Someone’s Sails

• Meaning : to discourage someone.
• Use In A Sentence : Brian was making great progress on the project until Mark came by and started to pick at the imperfections. He really took the wind out of Brian’s sails.

84. On A Wing And A Prayer

• Meaning : there is very little chance of success.
• Use In A Sentence : When we decided to quit our jobs and start this company we did it on a wing and a prayer.

85. Puddle Jumper

• Meaning : a small airplane that only travels short distances
• Use In A Sentence : Once we arrive on the island, we are going to hop on a puddle jumper and it will take us the rest of the way.

86. Fifth Wheel or Third Wheel

• Meaning : an unwanted extra person.
• Use In A Sentence : Jim was the only person without a date. He felt like a fifth wheel so he left early.

87. To Desert/Leave A Sinking Ship

• Meaning : to leave a situation in which one knows failure is imminent and it is better to leave before it is too late.
• Use In A Sentence : I hate to be the one who deserts a sinking ship, but I need to think about my future.

88. Any Port In A Storm

• Meaning : when in a difficult situation any solution is a good solution even though one may not like it.
• Use In A Sentence : Adam didn’t want to move back in with his parents, but after quitting his job he can’t afford a new place. Any port in a storm, I guess.

89. To Get One’s Wings

• Meaning : to get a pilot’s license.
• Use In A Sentence : John was over the moon to finally get his wings.

90. In Full Flight

• Meaning : to flee as quickly as possible.
• Use In A Sentence : The thieves left the scene in full flight, but eventually, the police caught them.

91. To Hit The Ground Running

• Meaning : to start an activity with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. To begin at full speed.
• Use In A Sentence : Today is a new day. We need to forget about what happened yesterday and we need to hit the ground running.

92. To Have Your Feet On The Ground

• Meaning : to remain calm in a difficult situation. To think practically in a stressful situation.
• Use In A Sentence : When he lost his job Joe really showed that he had his feet on the ground by not panicking and making wise decisions.

93. One’s Old Stomping Grounds

• Meaning : a favorite place where a person likes to go to often.
• Use In A Sentence : After talking for a little bit, we all went back to our old stomping grounds, our favorite restaurant where we used to hang out every Friday.

94. Pit Stop

• Meaning : a short break during a road trip to get food, refuel or rest up a bit before continuing.
• Use In A Sentence : Do you think we could take a pit stop? I really need to use the bathroom.

95. To Hitch A Ride

• Meaning : to ask for a free ride. To go somewhere in somebody else’s car.
• Use In A Sentence : Instead of taking the bus, I am just going to hitch a ride with Steve.

96. Make Headway

• Meaning : to make progress.
• Use In A Sentence : After working hard for several months, we are finally making headway and it looks like it will be done before the deadline.

97. To Part Ways

• Meaning : to go in different directions.
• Use In A Sentence : After working together for 15 years we decided to part ways and start our own separate companies.

98. To Pull Up Stakes

• Meaning : to pack up and leave a campsite.
• Use In A Sentence : It started to rain and it didn’t look like it was going to stop. So we decided to pull up stakes and start to move down the mountain.

99. To Set Up Camp

• Meaning : to prepare an area to sleep outside.
• Use In A Sentence : We need to set up camp before it gets dark. 

100. Tire Kicker

• Meaning : a person who appears to be interesting in buying something, but in the end, does not buy it. They tend to waste a lot of time.
• Use In A Sentence: I think he is just a tire kicker. He has no interest in buying that car.

101. To Walk It Off

• Meaning : to walk around in an attempt to feel better. Usually after an injury.
• Use In A Sentence : I tried to walk it off, but I think I seriously hurt my ankle this time.

102. Without A Hitch

• Meaning : to have no problems.
• Use In A Sentence : how was your trip? Perfect, everything went off without a hitch.

103. Clear Sailing

• Meaning : used to describe a situation that is free from obstacles or problems; easy going.
• Use In A Sentence : Now that we have the new part, it is clear sailing from here on out.

There you have it! 103 Travel Idioms! Which one is your favorite? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

More About English By Day

• Privacy Policy
• Useful English Idioms
• Idiom Of The Day
• Useful Adjectives

Travel idioms: Fun ways to talk about traveling and adventures

Are you in the mood for an adventure? Before you pack your bags and grab your passport, make sure you have the right vocabulary to talk about it.

These English travel idioms will not only inspire you to see the world but can also be used on your journey. We have included lots of fun and useful expressions about travel and transport, all with examples and definitions. Idioms can be hard to understand , after all.

Travel idioms

A country mile.

A country mile is not an exact measurement but refers to a deceptively long distance. Country roads usually meander, so a destination a mile away can take much more than a mile to reach.

“It was suposed to be a 5 mile run but it felt like 5 country miles!”

People who have itchy feet are bored of where they are and have a desire to travel, do something new, or explore.

“She only came back from her camping trip last week but she got itchy feet and is setting off on a road trip tomorrow.’

Feet and other body parts are featured in idioms a lot, so they are always useful to know.

The travel bug

Be careful: if you catch the travel bug, it may turn your plans upside down! The travel bug refers to a strong urge, passion or desire to travel the world.

“I caught the travel bug when I first explored Europe over 20 years ago.”

At a crossroads / a fork in the road

You will surely come across a crossroads or a fork in the road when you are traveling. These expressions relate to any place where the road splits or meets another road, and you must decide which way to go.

However, we have put these on our list of travel idioms because they can also be used figuratively as choice idioms . You can say someone is at a crossroads or at a fork in the road if they have an important decision to make in any area of their life.

“I’m at a bit of a crossroads and I’m not sure what I should do.” “We get along fine, until we hit a fork in the road.”

At the crack of dawn

At the crack of dawn is a simple but fun way of describing any time very early in the morning.

“We’re going to have to get up at the crack of dawn to make our flight.”

There are many other time idioms you may find useful for planning a travel itinerary.

Bad news travels fast

Bad news travels fast , or at least that is how it often seems. Most bad news is scandalous or a great topic for gossip, so people are more likely to talk about it with their friends or colleagues.

“I can’t believe I got fired and that my wife knew about it before I even got home. I guess bad news really does travel fast!”

Live out of a suitcase

People who live out of a suitcase travel a lot from place to place, not returning home often. Since they normally stay for a short period of time in each place, they keep all their clothes in their suitcase rather than bothering to unpack and settle in.

“Guys, we have a busy interary, so get ready to live out of your suitcases for the next week or so!”

On a shoestring

Although this is a good travel idiom, it can actually apply to all situations. Anything that happens on a shoestring is done with a very small budget, keeping costs as low as possible.

“I’m backpacking around Asia next year but I’m traveling on a shoestring.”

Find some more money-related idioms here .

Hit a roadblock

This is a saying with two meanings. An actual roadblock is something used by the police to stop the illegal activity of a driver. As a travel-related idiom, to hit a roadblock refers to something getting in the way and stopping you from making progress in a project.

“The new contract negotiations were going well but we’ve hit a bit of a roadblock now.”

This is not to be confused with the one below.

Hit the road

Here’s a very popular travel idiom; so popular, in fact, that you’ll hear it in many songs like “ Hit the Road Jack “. To hit the road simply means to depart on a journey.

“Well, it’s getting late, so I think it’s time we hit the road.” “The car is all packed; let’s hit the road!”

You normally say this phrase when referring to traveling by car or going home, but it could be used in other circumstances.

Catch the sun

A lot of these travel idioms focus on going on vacation. For most people, a vacation means time in the sun. To catch the sun is to spend enough time in the sun that your skin burns or develops a tan.

“Won’t be long until I’m catching the sun in Spain.” “Looks like you have caught the sun today.”

You may also hear catch some rays , which means to sunbathe.

If you’re heading off for a summer vacation, make sure you check out some idioms about summer before you go. There are expressions to suit every season, in fact: winter , fall (autumn) and spring .

Pack light / travel light

People who travel light or pack light are careful not to bring unnecessary items. They keep their luggage to a minimum, whether for convenience or to avoid paying extra airfares for it.

“I always travel light.” “Much as I try to travel light, I always seem to need a huge suitcase.”

Travel on a full / empty stomach

Part of the joy of traveling is deciding what to eat! To travel on a full stomach means you have just eaten a lot and have no room for any more food. On the other hand, an empty stomach means you are very hungry as there is no food in you!

“I can’t have you traveling on an empty stomach. Let me make you a snack.” “I mustn’t travel on a full stomach. I get car sick.”

A mile a minute

Travel idioms can be a fun way to exaggerate your point. When you need to highlight that someone was traveling very fast, you could say they were moving a mile a minute . This saying comes from when cars had a top speed of 60 miles per hour and it was considered very fast.

“You must have gone a mile a minute to get here so fast!”

This fast idiom can also be used more generally to refer to anything done very quickly.

“She had the whole family to cook for and was chopping and mixing a mile a minute to get it all done!” “I could tell he was excited because he was talking a mile a minute. I couldn’t keep up.”

Off the beaten track / path

A beaten path or track is one that is well-used by other people. So, to get off the beaten track is to go somewhere unknown or more isolated.

“When we visit Thailand we like to get off the beaten track so we’re not just following the other tourists!”

Although it may seem similar to the next expression, this saying is more about a physical place than a direction in life.

Take the road less traveled

Here’s a travel idiom that may just change your life!

When you have a choice to make, people may advise you to take the road (or path) less traveled . This is an encouragement to think independently or unconventionally, rather than conforming to the norm and picking the option that everyone else would pick.

“I’ve decided to take the path less travelled and decline the job offer.”

Just to be very clear: this doesn’t have to be a decision related to travel. It could be about the type of job you choose, family options, education path, etc.

If you enjoy an adventure like this, also check out some action and adventure idioms .

Travel broadens the mind

Here is a little proverb that’s sneaked onto our list of travel idioms. A great reason people may give for seeing the world is that travel broadens the mind . You learn about different cultures, beliefs, and customs. You learn first-hand about history and taste new foods. Travel gives you a greater understanding and a new perspective on life.

“I’m so glad you’re taking a year to backpack Africa. Travel really broadens the mind.”

Spread your wings and fly/soar

Here is another travel expression that describes the freedom and liberty that comes with being able to wherever you like. We can liken this feeling to a bird spreading its wings to fly or soar above the world.

“You’re still young! It’s the best time to spread your wings and fly.”

This expression about freedom can relate to things other than travel, such as moving to a new place or beginning a new season of life.

Travel idioms featuring different modes of transport

We’re not done yet! Here are some more travel idioms, this time featuring or about different modes of transport.

In the driver’s seat

The person in charge of a situation and making the choices is the person in the driver’s seat .

“Mary took the week off, so Sam is in the driver’s seat.”

If you specifically need driving-related idioms more than travel idioms, there are plenty to refer to.

Catch a red-eye

Due to the size of America, it’s common to have long domestic flights. This is why this phrase is more of an American English idiom than British. A red-eye is a flight that departs late at night and/or arrives early in the morning, disrupting your natural sleep pattern and perhaps giving you red or bloodshot eyes.

“To make it to the wedding on time, we’ll have to catch the red-eye tomorrow.”

In the same boat

Normally, you’d use this saying in the context of a negative situation. To be in the same boat means that you and the people around you are all in a similar situation or experiencing the same thing.

“I know you’re cold, but we’re all in the same boat.” “The recent tax increases have hit us hard, but everyone is in the same boat.”

Here are some more idioms to use in bad situations .

Fly under the radar

Radars are used to detect things like planes or submarines. Someone or something that flies under the radar goes unnoticed or undetected, usually by people in authority.

“Let’s keep our heads down and hope we fly under the radar.”

As the crow flies

The straight-line distance from one location to another is measured as the crow flies . This is different from the distance needed to actually travel from one place to the other, since you usually need to navigate around roads, buildings, rivers, and other geographical features.

“The beach is only 2 miles away as the crow flies, but it’s more like 4 on the winding country roads.”

Find some more interesting bird idioms here.

Don’t forget to write

If you’re going to be traveling for a while, you’ll probably want to write to your friends and family back home. Traditionally this was done via letters or postcards, but now you’re more likely to email or use social media.

You can say don’t forget to write as a farewell, reminding the person to keep in touch while they are away.

“Have a fantastic trip, and don’t forget to write!”

It’s surprising how many idioms about writing are becoming obsolete as we turn to electronic methods of communication.

Float your boat

If you find something appealing, you can say that it floats your boat . It’s often used in negative constructions about things you don’t like.

“I think I’ll pass on the spring rolls, thanks. They don’t really float my boat.”

You can also use the expression whatever floats your boat to mean ‘whatever you like’ or ‘whatever makes you happy’.

“Listen, whatever floats your boat is ok by me.” “Peanut butter and tomato sandwiches sound a bit weird to me, but… whatever floats your boat.”

Occasionally, you may hear people use this in relation to a person, meaning that they find that person attractive. This could be considered rather sleazy, and there are better idioms about love and attraction that you could use.

Just the ticket

Here’s a travel idiom that can actually be used as a sentence on its own. Just the ticket is a way of expressing that something is exactly what is needed or wanted; a perfect solution to a problem.

“Brilliant! That’s just the ticket. Thanks.”

Be aware that this expression might sound a little old-fashioned nowadays. Find some other ways to describe good things here.

There really are plenty of boat and ship-related travel idioms. When you jump ship you move from one group, cause, or situation to join another.

“We heard the company was struggling, so Martha jumped ship as soon as she could.”

That ship has sailed

Sadly, when you hear the saying that ship has sailed , it means you’ve missed an opportunity. Perhaps something or someone is no longer available, or the situation has changed.

“Sorry son, that ship has sailed.”

Here are some more idioms about change that you can use.

Train of thought

If you didn’t know the meaning of the phrase train of thought , you’d struggle to work it out or make a logical guess! It’s the process by which someone reaches their decision; their line of reasoning to make a choice.

“I really don’t understand her train of thought, but she’s the boss, so we’ll do as she says.”

Have these idioms about travel inspired you to start planning your next adventure? Can you think of any others that should be on this list? Leave a comment to let us know!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and site URL in my browser for next time I post a comment.

Sign me up for the newsletter!

Join The Newsletter

Travel + Beauty

115 Idioms About Travel: What They Mean & How To Use Them

If you have an upcoming trip to an English-speaking country you may hear a few idioms about travel along the way. In this post,  I have 100+ travel idioms so you will know what they mean and how to use them yourself! 

Whether you are taking time to learn English or know it well you will find these English idioms about travel fun to learn. 

Let’s begin with this list of common idioms related to travel.

This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our  disclosure here.

Besides reading these idioms for travel, you may enjoy these other related posts:

• Travel Expressions and Phrases To Learn For your Trip
• 66 Genius Traveling Hacks
• How To Use Google Maps To Plan A Trip
• Tips To Survive Long Flights In Economy

Idioms About Travel

Here in this curated list, we’re going to dive into all the idioms about travel. All these idioms related to travel you will know when you’re finished reading this post! Whatever your preferred mode of transportation is when traveling, I have travel idioms for them all! 

So fasten your seat belt, it’s time to take off!

Hit the Road

When you hear hit the road it means to leave. 

Example: “We need to be at the airport by 8 AM. We better hit the road so we’re not late.”

To Pack Light

This is one of my favorite idioms about travel. I’m sure most travelers will find it hard like me to follow. To pack light means only bringing what you need and not overstuffing your luggage. 

Example: “For the road trip we need to pack light so all our luggage can fit in the trunk.”

Backseat Driver

When one is a backseat driver they tend to be that annoying passenger who tells the driver how to drive. It can also mean one who is controlling. 

Example: “Would you stop being a backseat driver? I know where I am going. I’ve driven around Paris many times.”

To be in a rut is being stuck in a situation that doesn’t seem to change. 

Example: “I feel I have been stuck in a rut with my job since I moved here to Los Angeles .”

Hit A Roadblock

Hitting a roadblock is when something hinders you from progressing. 

Example: “I was working on my novel every day, then I seemed to hit a roadblock and can’t write anymore.”

Carry Coals To Newcastle

Where some says carry coals to Newcastle it means to do something that is unnecessary. 

Example: “You don’t need to pack all those suitcases for an overnight trip, it would be like carrying coals to Newcastle. 

Catch The Sun

This is one of the idioms about travel we all have experienced before. Catching the sun means getting sunburned. 

Example: “I caught the sun bad on my vacation in Florida. ”

Paddle One’s Own Canoe

To paddle one’s own canoe is to be an independent person. 

Example: “Jane can paddle her own canoe. She likes to travel all over the world solo. ”

This is one of the idioms about travel we clearly all know so well. Live it up is to enjoy yourself and leave the worries of money or anything behind. 

Example: “We are going to live it up every night during our trip to Miami. ”

Drive A Hard Bargain

When you hear drive a hard bargain means to deal with a tough negotiator. 

Example: “The farmers at the markets in Mauritius drive a hard bargain.” 

Any Port In A Storm

When you hear any port in a storm means being in a troublesome situation and taking any solution to fix the problem. 

Example: “Since our flight was canceled, we decided to rent a car to get home in time for work. We took any port in a storm for our situation”

Asleep At The Wheel

Asleep at the wheel is not paying attention or someone failing their responsibilities. 

Example: “Amy is always asleep at the wheel and she can never do her part when we are planning trips. ”

Shift Gears

When you or someone quickly changes what they are doing. 

Example: “I know we were planning a trip to Mexico t his summer, but let’s shift gears and plan a trip to Guatemala instead.”

Wheels Fall Off

When you hear the wheels fall off, be prepared! This is when everything that was going well makes a turn for the worse. Things begin to turn to chaos. 

Example: “Our vacation took a turn during our hike and the wheels fell off from there.”

Cool One’s Jets

Cooling your jets means calming down. 

Example: “Even though the plane was delayed with will get home tonight. So cool your jets.”

Highways And Byways

This is one of the idioms about travel relating to life. It means the paths taken in life, referring to major or less-traveled roads. 

Example: “She moved to a village outside of Athens by highways and byways.”

To fly high means to be extremely happy. 

Exampling: “We were flying high coasting the Greek Islands .”

Hitch Your Wagon To A Star

When you hitch your wagon to a star you or someone else is setting large goals. 

Example: “You can make money traveling the world, why not hitch your wagon to a star?”

Fall Off The Wagon

Falling off the wagon means returning to destructive behaviors, such as drugs, alcohol, or overeating. 

Fork In The Road

When you have to make a decision between two different choices you come to a fork in the road. 

Example: “I reached a fork in the road. I can’t decide if I should take that job in New York or Los Angeles . What do you think I should do?”

Rock The Boat

Rock the boat is causing harm or problems in a situation. 

Example: “Jane and Robert are getting along since they returned from their trip. Hope one of them doesn’t rock the boat.”

On A Shoestring/ On The Cheap

Being on a shoestring is having to be tight with finances. 

Example: “We were on a shoestring while backpacking through Europe.”

At The Crack Of Dawn

Waking up at the crack of dawn is waking up very early. 

Example: “Let’s wake up at the crack of dawn so we can catch the sunrise on the beach.”

Call It A Day Or Night

Whenever you call it a day or night it means to go home or end an activity. 

Example: “We stayed at that rooftop bar until 1 AM before calling it a night.”

Thirty Thousand Foot View

When you are looking at something with a thirty thousand foot view it means seeing the whole picture or perspective of the situation. 

Example: “From a thirty-thousand-foot view, Miami is very hot during the summer season. However, it is cheaper to visit then and less crowded. 

Ship Has Sailed

If the ship has sailed, it means you missed your opportunity. 

Example: “I have always dreamed of becoming a flight attendant, but the ship has sailed on that one.”

Off The Beaten Track

To go off the beaten track means to travel the route or a remote location. 

Example: “We went off the beaten track during our road trip to Switzerland .”

Your Mileage May Vary

If you hear your mileage may vary, it means getting different results. 

Example: “I heard the milage varies when booking flights . I heard it’s cheaper to book on Mondays than Saturdays.”

Put The Brakes On

Putting the breaks on means to slowing something down. 

Example: “We should put the brakes on how we spend money so we have money for our trip.”

Fifth Wheel

Having a person around that is not welcome is known as a fifth wheel. 

Example: “My sister said she feels like a fifth wheel when she goes to dinner with us.”

Rocky road means going through a difficult time or situation. 

Example: “It was a rocky road getting over my fear of flying.”

Catch The Red-Eye

Catching the red-eye is one of the idioms about travel we have all experienced at least once. This means taking a flight leaving late at night. 

Example: “Since I am catching a red-eye I will be sure to stay awake so I can sleep on the plane.”

In The Same Boat

Being in the same boat as someone means experiencing the same situation. 

Example: “I think we’re in the same boat feeling this jet lag.”

Jump/ Leap/ Climb On The Bandwagon

Whether you use to jump, leap, or climb on the bandwagon it means following the current trend. 

Example: “I guess I will jump on the bandwagon with you all buy those shoes.”

Live Out Of A Suitcase

If you’re living out of your suitcase it means staying in several places for a short length of time. No need to unpack because your stay is so brief. 

Example: “I have been hopping around Europe and living out of my suitcase.”

When you break the journey it means to stop and take a rest somewhere during your travels. 

Example: “We will break the journey in Texas for a night before continuing to New York . ”

Drivers who consume the road and make it difficult to pass are road hogs.

Example: “That road hog is driving down the middle of the road! Look he’s causing traffic since no one can pass him.”

Make Your Way Back

When you visit a place again or come back to a task, then you made your way back to it. 

Example: “It took a while, but I  made my way back to Greece this year.”

Hustle And Bustle

To hustle and bustle means being busy. 

Example: “We planned on relaxing during our trip to Mexico, but we hustled and bustled.”

Country Mile

A country mile means going a long distance, especially when you expected it to be shorter. 

Example: “We thought the drive from Miami to Key West was short, but it turned out to be a country mile.”

Travel Broadens The Mind

This idiom means you can broaden your perspective about the world through traveling. 

Example: “I was stuck in my ways for so long, but after exploring other countries travel broadened my mind.”

Put The Pedal To The Metal

If you ever hear put the pedal to the metal, be sure to buckle up. This means driving fast!

Example: “We were able to arrive in Fort Lauderdale from Miami quickly. Jack really put the pedal to the metal.”

Be In The Driver’s Seat

Being in the driver’s seat is having control of a situation. 

Example: “My sister took the driver’s seat planning our trip to Hawaii. ”

Throw Someone Under The Bus

To throw someone under the bus means to harm someone for personal gain through deceit. 

Example: “My co-worker is being considered for a promotion. She threw me under the bus when I called out sick and I wasn’t. I don’t know how she found out I really went for a day trip to Key West. ”

Have Itchy Feet

One who is experiencing itchy feet has a strong desire to travel. 

Example: “I haven’t taken a vacation in a while. I’m getting itchy feet to so somewhere. 

Drive Someone Up The Wall

If someone is really irritating you then they have driven you up the wall. 

Example: “The guy kicking my seat on this plane is driving me up the wall.”

A Wheel Within A Wheel

When one is dealing with a wheel within a wheel it means having to handle a difficult situation. 

Example: “I can’t figure out how to work this camera. It’s a wheel within a wheel. Do you know someone who can help me?”

Cross The Bridge When We Get To It

To cross the bridge when you get to is dealing with the problem if/when it occurs. 

Example: “I am worried our flight will be canceled due to the weather. We will have to cross that bridge when we get to it, but let’s think positively. 

Float One’s Boat

If one ever floated your boat, then they made you really happy. 

Example: “We have visited Hawaii several times and I really don’t want to go. But, whatever floats your boat. 

Bump In The Road

When you hit a bump in the road a problem has occurred. 

Example: “There was a bump in the road when our plane was delayed. We missed our connecting flight. “

Cover One’s Tracks

Covering one’s tracks is to hide the evidence of your actions. 

Example: “We need to cover our tracks so the flight attendants won’t’ know we stole those snacks.” 

To Jump Ship

When a person jumps ship they abandon a task. 

Example: “My sister jumped ship and bailed on our yearly Europe trip.”

Just Around The Corner

Just around the corner, it means something is going to happen very soon. 

Example: “My trip to Munich is just around the corner.” 

Wheels Fell Off

This idiom about travel is about dealing with a problem that occurred unexpectedly. 

Example: “Our vacation in Vienna started off well, but then wheels fell off. The second day we lost all our money. “

Run A Tight Ship

When a person keeps a tight ship,  they are keeping things organized and in order. 

Example: “Annie runs a tight ship when she is travel planning . ” 

Take Someone For A Ride

If you have ever been swindled or conned, you have been taken for a ride. 

Example: “I should have known that girl would take me for a ride.”

On The Home Stretch

On the home stretch means the journey is coming to an end. 

Example: “We are on the home stretch. Zurich is our last stop before heading home. 

Hit The Beach

Hit the beach means to go to the beach. 

Example: “We’re planning to hit the beach every day when we’re in Miami.  

On A Wing And A Prayer

On a wing and a prayer means when you rely on hope during a difficult situation. 

Example: “We are on a wing and prayer that our flight home doesn’t get delayed again.”

Miss The Boat

Miss the boat is an idiom travel expression meaning you missed your chance. 

Example: “I should have booked that flight yesterday. We missed the boat on that price.”

Train Of Thought

Train of thought is one’s pattern and sequence of thinking. 

Example: “I forgot what I was going to say. You interrupted and ruined my train of thought.”

When you have to think very quickly and are not able to put in much thought, you are thinking on the fly. 

Example: ”I need a day to think about what I’m packing , it’s not so easy to think on the fly for this trip.”

Send Flying

Sending something flying is something is getting tossed in the air or somewhere around. 

Example: “That guy at the airport bumped into me so hard it sent my passport flying.”

Take The High Road

Despite how someone might have treated you poorly,  you still take the high road and respond ethically and rationally. 

Example: “Even though Megan treated me poorly on the trip, I decided to take the high road and not get even with her.”

Turn The Corner

When things to a corner mean there is an improvement when dealing with a difficult situation. 

Example: “After being lost in the mountains for days, things turned a corner when we bumped into a hiker on the trail who helped us.”

Travel idiom phrase manning to take a short break during a trip. 

Example: “When we reach Dallas, let’s take a pit stop and fill up on gas and grab some snacks.”

Right Up One’s Alley

Having something right up your alley means it’s of your interest.

Example: “I am not into city destinations, secluded beaches are right up my alley. “

Just The Ticket

Just the ticket means getting exactly what you wanted. 

Example: “I’ve got just the ticket to cheer you up. We’re going to Mauritius!”

A Mile A Minute

If you’re going a mile a minute, you are going very fast. 

Example: “That taxi driver was driving a mile a minute.”

Get One’s Wings

Idiom for when a pilot gets his license. 

Example: “After all that training, I finally got my wings!” 

Pull Up Stakes

When you pull up stakes you are packing up and leaving the campsite. 

Example: “After spending 3 days camping, it’s time to pull up stakes.”

Tire Kicker

When someone pretends to be interested in buying something but doesn’t have intentions to buy anything they are a tire kicker. Also, one who wastes people’s time.

Example: “Let’s just plan the trip without Joanne. She is not going to contribute, we know she is a tire kicker.”

Feet On The Ground

Being able to remain calm in unpleasant circumstances. 

Example: “Blake always has bad luck on a trip, but he is always able to keep his feet on the ground.”

Take The Wind Out Of Someone’s Sails

When you take the wind out of one’s sails it means to discourage them and others. 

Example: “Amy was showing so much progress with her travel blog until Robert came and told her he didn’t like her writing. That really took the wind out of her sails. 

Be In One’s Wheelhouse

This idiom about travel means to be in your comfort zone. 

Example: “You always visit Vienna. Get out of your wheelhouse and explore other countries.”

When a person has road rage they are a very angry driver and can exhibit violent or aggressive behaviors. 

Example: “I don’t want Blake driving when we are in Dallas. He has terrible road rage.”

Jet set is a group of wealthy and trendy people who frequently travel the world. 

Example: “I am dreaming of the day to becoming a jet set.”

Hitch A Ride

To hitch a ride means getting a free ride. 

Example: “I hitched a ride from France to Switzerland . ”

Train Wreck

If something is a train wreck, it’s a complete failure and disaster. 

Example: “That airline is a train wreck! They are always losing my luggage and have delayed flights.”

Light At The End Of The Tunnel 

When you reach the light at the end of the tunnel a difficult situation is coming to an end. 

Example: “After having my luggage lost for a week the airline called and said it’s found. Now, they just have to get it to me, so I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Give The Green Light

Giving someone the green light is giving permission to move forward and proceed. 

Example: “The pilot gave the green light to the flight attendants to prepare for landing.”

All Hands On Deck

When orders are given for all hands on deck, every crew member on the ship must report to the deck. 

Example: “I was about to have lunch, but then the captain announced all hands on deck.”

Bad News Travels Fast

When bad news travels fast, means it gets around to others rather quickly. 

Example: “How does everyone know I got arrested in Mexico ? I guess bad news travels fast.”

Neck Of The Woods

This means a place nearby. 

Example: “Hey, I will be in your neck of the woods tomorrow. Would you like to meet for lunch?”

Be Off One’s Trolley

When one is off their trolley, they are exhibiting crazy behavior. 

Example: “You must be off your trolley taking all those suitcases for an overnight trip.”

Running On Fumes

Telling someone you’re running on fumes means continuing to do something although you’re extremely tired.

Example: “We have been hiking for hours, I am running on fumes.”

Desert A Sinking Ship

To desert a sinking ship means leaving the situation when you know it is going to fail. 

Example: “I hate to be the one who deserts a sinking ship, but I don’t think that is a wise decision for me.”

Walk It Off

When one has an injury, one will make an attempt to walk to feel better. 

Example: “After hurting my ankle at the beach yesterday, I tried walking it off, but it didn’t help. 

Hit The Ground Running

Hit the ground running is to begin something with lots of excitement. 

Example: “Jane hit the ground running promoting her group tour.”

Go Off The Rails

To off of the rails means to begin behaving strangely. 

Example: “John went off the rails when his flight got delayed again.”

Make Headway

When one makes headway it means they are making progress. 

Example: “It was difficult to  make headway sailing because of the tide.”

Go The Extra Mile

This idiom about travel means doing more than what is expected. 

Example: “That airline always goes the extra mile for their passengers.”

Old Stomping Grounds

When one visits their old stomping grounds it means to visit a familiar or favorite place. 

Example: “It’s been a while since I visited my old stomping grounds. I used to visit Greece every summer.”

When you part ways one is separating or going in different directions. 

Example: “After working for the airline for 20-years, I decided to part ways.”

In Full Flight

If one is in full flight, they are leaving something or someone quickly. 

Example: “I was in full flight to catch the plane during my layover. ”

Set Up Camp

Setting up for camp is to prepare or set up. 

Example: “We need to set up before we go on our hike.”

Clear Sailing

Clear sailing means when a situation is clear of problems. 

Example: “We didn’t have any delays or issues with our flight. It was clear sailing.” 

At A Good Clip

Being a good clip means going very fast. 

Example: “Wow, we walked around the city at a good clip. What’s next?”

Without A Hitch

When one has no problems they are without a hitch. 

Example: “The flight went without a hitch.”

Where Rubber Meets The Road

When one is where rubber meets the road, their skill are being tested.

Example: “During my first solo trip I had many moments where rubber meets the road.”

Get The Show On The Road

Getting the show on the road is when you start something. 

Example: “Vacation is here! Let’s get this show on the road.”

Fly By The Seat Of One’s Pants

When one has to fly the seat of one’s pants, they are depending on their own instincts. 

Example: “I got lost in Los Angeles and was flying by the seats of my pants to find the hotel.”

Circle The Wagons

When one becomes defensive they are circling the wagons. 

Example: “Don’t circle the wagons. I know you know where we are going, I just made a suggestion for another route. 

Walk The Plank

When one has to accept the consequences of their actions. 

Example: “I said you didn’t need all those suitcases. Now, you must walk the plank and carry them all yourself.” 

Spin One’s Wheels

Spinning one’s wheels is wasting time on something or someone.

Example: “She is just spinning her wheels at that job. She will never get promoted.”

Fly Under The Radar

When something or someone does something without being noticed. 

Example: “Lilly never stays until the party ends. She flys under the radar when she leaves. 

When you go on a short or long trip by car. 

Example: “Let’s take a road trip from Miami to Key West. “

My Way Or The Highway

If one says my way or the highway, it means you do what I say or leave. 

Example: “Sally makes all the travel arrangements. She makes it clear it’s her way or the highway.”

At A Crossroads

When one has come to a point where a choice has to be made they are at a crossroads.

Example: “I’m at a crossroads deciding where to spend the holiday. Should I go to Vienna or Munich ? ”

Sail Close To The Wind

If you said close to the wind you are doing something risky or even dangerous. 

Example: “John likes to climb some of the tallest mountains alone. He is sailing too cost to the wind.”

Have a One-Track Mind

One who is preoccupied with one particular topic. 

Example: “Laura has a one-track mind. Travel is the only thing she ever talks about. 

Lose Track Of Someone Or Something

When one forgets, misplaces, or doesn’t pay attention to someone or something. 

Example: “I lost track of Amy after she moved to Panama .  

Step It Up A Gear

Stepping up a gear is to work on something with more enthusiasm and energy. 

Example: “I decided to step it up a gear studying for my pilot’s license.”

Smooth Sailing

One is smooth sailing when they can work on a task free from difficulties. 

Example: “Planning our world trip was stressful, but with Google maps, it turned out to be pretty smooth sailing.”

Sunday Driver

A Sunday driver is one who drives obnoxiously slow on the road.

Example: “Don’t have Tom drive us to dinner. He is a Sunday driver and we will miss our reservation.”

Idioms Travel List Wrap Up

I hope you enjoyed these idioms about travel.  Learn them quickly by using these travel idioms as much as you can when speaking with others. I’m curious to know which of these travelling idioms were your favorite? Let me know in the comments below. 

Keep these idioms about travel handy with you, especially if you’re learning English, and download your travel idioms pdf here.  

If you enjoyed these vacation idioms, check out these other related posts: 

Like this post on idioms about travel? Share it with others or pin it for later!

Recommended Articles

33 off the beaten path travel destinations to visit before you die.

3 Free Travel Lightroom Presets To Brighten Your Photos

123 Desert Instagram Captions That Are Captivating

• Conjunctions
• Prepositions

90+ Travel Idioms: Fun Ways to Talk About Traveling and Adventures

Travel: it’s more than just the act of moving from one place to another. It’s a journey of discovery, an adventure of the senses, and often, a voyage of self-realization. Just as travel broadens our horizons, language, with its rich tapestry of idioms, offers insights into the essence of these journeys. In this article, we embark on an exciting expedition into the world of “Travel Idioms” — those linguistic gems that encapsulate the adventures, mishaps, joys, and revelations of travel.

From “hit the road” to “off the beaten path”, travel idioms capture the nuances of our wanderlust, the challenges we face, and the exhilaration of exploration. Tailored for avid travelers, linguistic enthusiasts, and anyone who’s ever felt the urge to explore beyond their comfort zone, this piece promises a journey through language that’s as captivating as any worldly expedition. Pack your linguistic bags, and let’s set sail on this voyage through the intriguing alleys of idiomatic expressions, where every turn holds a story, and every phrase, a destination.

Table of Contents

Common English Idioms for Travelling with Meaning and Example

The allure of travel has fascinated mankind for centuries. It beckons with the promise of new experiences, cultures, and memories. While the journey itself is often the highlight, the stories and conversations that ensue are the threads that weave these experiences into the fabric of our lives. The English language, rich and varied, encapsulates many of these experiences in idiomatic expressions. These idioms serve as shorthand for broader ideas, adding color and depth to our tales of adventure. Let’s embark on a linguistic journey exploring some common English idioms related to travelling.

• Meaning: To begin a journey or to leave a place.
• Example: “We need to hit the road early to avoid traffic.”
• Meaning: A place that is isolated or less frequented by tourists.
• Example: “On our trip to Italy, we discovered a charming little restaurant off the beaten path.”
• Meaning: To travel without carrying a lot of luggage.
• Example: “I always prefer to travel light, taking only essentials in a backpack.”
• Meaning: A strong desire to travel and see new places.
• Example: “She’s had itchy feet ever since her return from Europe.”
• Meaning: Doing something quickly without much preparation.
• Example: “We booked the hotel on the fly, without any prior planning.”
• Meaning: To adopt a popular activity or trend.
• Example: “Since everyone’s visiting Iceland now, I thought I’d jump on the bandwagon and plan a trip there too.”
• Meaning: To be very successful and popular.
• Example: “The new beach resort has gone down a storm with holidaymakers.”
• Meaning: The unofficial ‘club’ of people who have had intimate relations in an airplane in flight.
• Example: “Some people have joining the mile-high club on their bucket list.”
• Meaning: A flight that departs late at night and arrives the next morning.
• Example: “To maximize our time, we’re taking the red-eye flight to New York.”
• Meaning: At a point where one has to make an important decision.
• Example: “After backpacking across Asia, I felt I was at a crossroads, deciding between continuing my journey or returning home.”
• Meaning: To enjoy the sunshine, especially on a beach.
• Example: “Let’s head to the beach and catch some rays.”
• Meaning: The strong and irresistible urge to travel.
• Example: “Ever since his gap year, he’s been bitten by the travel bug.”
• Meaning: To act just within the limits of what is legal or safe.
• Example: “Hitchhiking through unknown places can be sailing close to the wind, but he enjoys the thrill.”
• Meaning: Act in a way that makes return to a situation impossible.
• Example: “Be careful not to burn bridges when you leave a hostel on bad terms.”
• Meaning: A place full of luxury and great opportunity, often in reference to a place one is travelling to.
• Example: “She moved to California, believing it to be the land of milk and honey.”

List of 80 Idioms For Travelling with Meaning

In Summation

Travel has the power to transform, inspire, and rejuvenate. It’s a dance of discovery, both of the world and of oneself. Just as each destination has its unique charm, the idioms that stem from our travel experiences are snapshots of those moments, emotions, and tales. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler with countless adventures under your belt or a dreamer planning your first escapade, these idioms offer a fun and flavorful way to recount and relate to travel stories. So the next time you hit the road, remember to weave these idioms into your tales and let the journey continue through words! Safe travels!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Posts

50+ Idioms to Express Anger That You Should Know!

Anger, a powerful and primal emotion, has the capability of…  Read More » 50+ Idioms to Express Anger That You Should Know!

50+ Idioms for Sadness: A Collection of English Idioms About Sadness

Sadness, an emotion as profound as it is universal, touches…  Read More » 50+ Idioms for Sadness: A Collection of English Idioms About Sadness

Happy Idioms: 75+ Idioms for Happiness or Being Happy

Happiness, an emotion as infectious as it is sought after,…  Read More » Happy Idioms: 75+ Idioms for Happiness or Being Happy

20 travel idioms

People around the world love to travel, and English is often the most useful language to know when you’re exploring new places. Understanding travel idioms not only boosts your English skills but also helps you blend in with locals. Travel idioms can make your conversations sound more natural and make you feel like a native speaker while you’re on the road.

1. Hit the road

To begin a journey.

2. Off the beaten track

In a place where few people go, far from any main roads and towns.

3. Travel light

To bring very few things with you when you go on a trip.

4. Red-eye flight

A flight that departs late at night and arrives early in the morning.

5. Itchy feet

A strong desire to travel or move from place to place.

6. Road warrior

Someone who travels frequently, especially for business.

7. Mile-high club

The unofficial term for people who have had sexual intercourse on an airplane.

8. Frequent flyer

Someone who travels often by plane, usually accumulating points or miles for their trips.

9. Get the travel bug

To develop a strong desire to travel widely.

10. Pack it in

To stop what you’re doing, often because it’s not successful, or to end a trip.

11. Smooth sailing

An easy and unobstructed journey.

12. Globe-trotter

Someone who travels frequently to various places around the world.

13. At a crossroads

At a point where a crucial decision must be made, often influencing one’s journey.

14. Jet set

A group of wealthy individuals who travel frequently for leisure.

15. On the fly

To do something quickly without planning in response to a situation.

16. Land on your feet

To recover well from a difficult situation, which can include traveling mishaps.

17. Explore all avenues

To investigate or try every possible means to find a solution or achieve something, often while traveling.

18. Burn bridges

To permanently damage relationships with people or places, often during travels or moves.

19. Travel-worn

Showing signs of wear or fatigue from travel.

20. Live out of a suitcase

To travel so much that you do not unpack because you are not staying in one place for long.

Are you excited to start your next journey? Consider trying out some of the travel idioms we discussed on your upcoming trip. They might just make your travel experience more enjoyable and help you connect with locals in a whole new way. Safe travels!

You may also like

25 work-related idioms

25 work-related idioms Idioms aren’t just fun to learn; they also help you speak English more like a native speaker. In this guide, we’ll dive into 25 popular work-related idioms that can spice up your...

20 vegetable idioms

20 vegetable idioms Idioms are a large part of the English language – they are phrases or expressions with meanings that aren’t immediately clear from the words themselves. This often makes them a difficult...

Amount vs Number

Amount vs Number The words amount and number can be confusing for English learners. Both words are used to describe how much of something we have. It might seem that they can be used interchangeably, but that’s...

Subskrybuj | YouTube

• Language school cooperation
• Specialized courses

Copyright © 2024 ELLA Language Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.

• ELLA METHOD
• REGISTRATION | online school
• FOR COMPANIES

Travel idioms & expressions

Get off to a flying start with holiday vocabulary.

• English vocabulary

Get holiday inspiration with travel idioms

Welcome to our blog exploring the fascinating world of travel idioms and expressions . 

As avid travellers ourselves, we understand the excitement of embarking on new adventures. English is often the universal language that unites travellers worldwide, and we focus on holiday and travel vocabulary that is commonly used by native speakers.

Start your next holiday plans with these unique idioms and expressions.

Meaning a strong desire to travel and explore new places.

Example After their trip through Europe, Sarah and Tom caught the travel bug and began planning their next adventure.

hit the road

Meaning to begin a journey or trip.

Example We need to hit the road early tomorrow morning if we want to reach our destination by noon.

off the beaten path

Meaning going to a less travelled or unconventional destination.

Example Instead of visiting the main tourist spots, we decided to venture off the beaten path and explore smaller villages in the countryside.

take the scenic route

Meaning to choose a longer route for the enjoyment of the view or experience.

Example Rather than driving along the motorway, we decided to take the scenic route through the mountains. It added a few extra hours to our journey, but the views were amazing.

off the grid

Meaning to be disconnected from technology or society, often experienced during remote or adventurous travel.

Example During our camping trip in the wilderness, we were completely off the grid with no phone or internet access. It was a great experience, but next time, I’ll stay in a hotel!

living out of a suitcase

Meaning to be constantly travelling or moving from one place to another.

Example I went travelling with friends after graduating university. After living out of a suitcase for a few months, it was refreshing to be back at home.

get off to a flying start

Meaning to begin something with great energy and enthusiasm, like a trip or adventure.

Example Our holiday got off to a flying start with perfect weather and exciting activities planned for the week.

travel light

Meaning to pack minimally and carry only essential items while travelling.

Example We’re only going for the weekend, so remember to travel light and bring just what you need.

a change of scenery

Meaning a different environment or setting.

Example After weeks of working indoors, Anne decided to take a few days off and enjoy a change of scenery  in the mountains.

at the crack of dawn

Meaning very early in the morning.

Example We had to get up at the crack of dawn to catch the first train to the airport.

get away from it all

Meaning to escape from the pressures and routine of daily life by going on a vacation or retreat.

Example We booked a secluded cabin in the mountains to get away from it all and relax for the weekend.

a home from home

Meaning a place where you feel comfortable and at ease, similar to your own home.

Example We love staying at my aunt’s house in the holidays. It feels like a home from home , with its cosy atmosphere and familiar surroundings.

soak up the sun

Meaning to enjoy the warmth and light of the sun while relaxing outdoors.

Example While on holiday in Spain, we spent our days lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun and swimming in the sea.

in the middle of nowhere

Meaning in a remote or isolated location.

Example On the way to our hotel, we took a wrong turn and ended up in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal. Thankfully, a local farmer spoke a little English and gave us directions.

travel on a shoestring

Meaning to travel with a very limited budget.

Example As college students, we travelled on a shoestring in Asia, staying in hostels and cooking our own meals to save money.

travel far and wide

Meaning to travel to many different places, often covering long distances.

Example Over the years, Andrew has travelled far and wide , exploring every continent except Antarctica.

make a pit stop

Meaning to briefly stop during a journey for a break or to refuel.

Example On our road trip to California, we made a pit stop at a roadside diner to grab a quick bite to eat.

packed like sardines

Meaning to be in a crowded or cramped space, often used to describe public transportation.

Example We were packed like sardines on the train, with barely enough room to move.

have itchy feet

Meaning to have a strong desire to travel or move from place to place.

Example Ever since he returned from his backpacking trip, David has had itchy feet and is already planning his next adventure.

travel in style

Meaning to travel with comfort and luxury.

Example To celebrate their retirement, our grandparents decided to travel in style on a luxury cruise around the world.

Have a great travel experience!

We have flown through 20 travel idioms and expressions that are frequently used by native English speakers. Let these idioms and expressions inspire your next adventure and serve as a reminder of the wonderful memories created along the way.

Tip: We recommend learning new vocabulary by topic, and to create examples that help you to remember new words and expressions. For English idioms about other topics, please visit our free vocabulary lessons .

Enjoy your travels and journey learning English too!

Share with friends

You may also be interested in....

English courses

Check out our full range of online and face-to-face English courses.

English level test

Take our online test to find out your English level of proficiency.

English certificate

Order your English level of proficiency certificate after taking our English test.

30 Idioms for Travelling

Are you planning a trip or just love to travel? 

Either way, it’s always helpful to have a list of idioms related to travel on hand. 

These phrases can add color to your writing, help you better understand native speakers, and even make you sound more like a seasoned traveler. 

In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of 30 idioms that are commonly used in the context of traveling. 

From “hit the road” to “stick out like a sore thumb,” these idioms will surely come in handy on your next adventure. 

So pack your bags and let’s hit the road!

Idioms for Travelling

• “To hit the road” – to start a journey or trip
• “To take a rain check” – to decline an invitation or offer, but suggest to do it at a later time
• “To hit the ground running” – to start something with a lot of energy and determination
• “To be on the same page ” – to be in agreement or understanding with someone
• “To go the extra mile” – to put in extra effort or work beyond what is required
• “To be a fish out of water” – to feel uncomfortable or out of place in a new or unfamiliar situation
• “To stick out like a sore thumb” – to be very noticeable or obvious because of being different from others
• “To go with the flow” – to accept and adapt to a situation, rather than trying to resist or change it
• “To be in a foreign country” – to be in a place that is unfamiliar or culturally different from one’s own
• “To be a jet-setter” – to be someone who travels frequently and widely, often for leisure
• “To be a road warrior” – to be someone who frequently travels for work
• “To be a backpacker” – to be someone who travels with a backpack and stays in budget accommodations, often while participating in outdoor activities
• “To be a tourist” – to be someone who is visiting a place for leisure or pleasure, often while participating in sightseeing activities
• “To be a nomad” – to be someone who lives and travels without a fixed home, often moving from place to place in search of new experiences.
• “To take a detour” – to deviate from one’s planned route or path, often in order to avoid something or see something else
• “To be in a rut” – to be stuck in a pattern of behavior or way of life that is boring or unfulfilling
• “To be a rolling stone” – to be someone who is always moving or changing, and does not like to stay in one place for very long
• “To be a wanderer” – to be someone who travels or moves around frequently, often without a specific plan or purpose
• “To be a free spirit” – to be someone who is independent and does not conform to societal norms or expectations
• “To have wanderlust” – to have a strong desire to travel and explore new places
• “To be a vagabond” – to be someone who wanders from place to place without a permanent home
• “To be a globetrotter” – to be someone who travels extensively to many different countries
• “To be a road tripper” – to be someone who travels by car, often for a long distance
• “To be a frequent flyer” – to be someone who travels by airplane often
• “To be a sailor” – to be someone who travels by water, often on a boat or ship
• “To be a adventurer” – to be someone who seeks out new and exciting experiences, often in unfamiliar or dangerous places
• “To be a traveler” – to be someone who is on a journey, often for leisure or exploration
• “To be a pilgrim” – to be someone who travels to a sacred place for religious reasons.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of idioms for traveling. 

These phrases can add depth to your travel stories and help you better understand native speakers. 

Whether you’re a jet-setting globetrotter or a wanderlust-filled backpacker, these idioms will surely come in handy on your next adventure. 

So the next time you hit the road, don’t forget to bring this list with you. Safe travels!

Related Posts

30 idioms for kids, 30 idioms for kid.

Page 1 of 2

bag and baggage

Meaning: (with) all one's belongings.

Example: She moved to a new city, leaving all her " bag and baggage " behind her. Read more ➺

my way or the highway

Meaning: to order someone to do something in a specific way without providing an alternative.

Example: In my house, it is my way or the highway . He was told by his father after coming back home drunk. Read more ➺

hit the road

Meaning: depart

Example: We'd better pack the car and hit the road before it gets dark. Read more ➺

Meaning: to start a journey

Example: We would like to set off for Paris by 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. Read more ➺

Meaning: an informal visit

Example: I hope to finish the dress before Saturday. If you want to see what it looks like you should drop by over the weekend. Read more ➺

Meaning: to go to someone else's house

Example: June and her sister will come over for lunch on Sunday, we are having chicken pie. Read more ➺

from pillar to post

Meaning: to move from one place to another with no purpose and direction

Example: Failing to get a satisfactory answer from her doctor, Mary went from pillar to post searching for a cure for her illness. Read more ➺

a trip to the sun

Meaning: something which is very unlikely

Example: My dream has always been to settle in Australia. But I know it's like a trip to the sun . I just have to make peace with this place. Read more ➺

there’s no place like home

Meaning: to have an affinity for one's home over every other place

Example: The troops finally retreated and the men get to go home to their families now. There is no place like home. Read more ➺

when in Rome, do as the Romans

Meaning: to copy popular culture in order to blend in

Example: My mother always told us that when in Rome, do as the Romans . That is how today we are able to get along with any kind of people. Read more ➺

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

• Learn English /

11 Popular Idioms for Travelling that You Should Know

• Updated on  
• May 25, 2024

Travel Idioms: Do you call yourself a wanderlust? Then you should definitely know these idioms for travelling that you can use to express yourself in a creative way. So, before you pack your bag for another adventure, make sure you have the right English vocabulary . Mentioned below are some idioms for travelling that you should know.

This Blog Includes:

1. itchy feet, 2. the travel bug, 3. live out of a suitcase, 4. hit the road, 5. a country mile, 6. desert a sinking ship, 7. drive someone up the wall, 8. take the road less travelled, 9. catch the sun, 10. pack light, 11. in the same boat.

People who have  itchy feet  are bored of where they are and have a desire to travel, do something new, or explore.

Example: I was getting itchy feet so I moved to London.

The meaning of the travel bug is to have a strong desire to travel.

Example: I caught the travel bug when I first explored Europe over 20 years ago.

Also Read:  Idioms for Food

Individuals who live a nomadic lifestyle frequently travel to different locations and do not often return to their homes. As they only stay in each location for a short period of time, they prefer to keep their clothes stored in their suitcase rather than taking the time to unpack and settle.

Example : Guys, we have a busy itinerary, so get ready to live out of your suitcases for the next month or so!

Quick Read: Bag and Baggage Meaning, Example, Synonyms

Also Read:  Understanding Idioms: Examples and Meanings

Hit the Road Jack is a widely known travel expression that’s often referenced in songs like “Hit the Road Jack”. It means to depart on a journey.

Example : What time are we hitting the road tomorrow?

Also Read:  Idioms for IELTS

A country mile is not an exact measurement but refers to a very long distance or way.

Example : She beat the other swimmers by a country mile.

Also Read: Go the Extra Mile Meaning, Examples and Synonyms

The phrase “to flee a sinking ship” means to escape from a situation where failure is likely, and it references the tendency of rats to be the first to leave a sinking ship.

Example : After seeing the company’s financial statement, he knew it was time to desert a sinking ship.

To drive someone up the wall means to make someone extremely angry.

Example : My colleague is driving me up the wall .

When faced with a decision, you may be advised to take the less travelled path. This is an encouragement to think independently and unconventionally, rather than conforming to the norm and choosing the option that everyone else would choose.

Example: I took the road less travelled when I decided not to go to college, unlike all of my friends.

This idiomatic phrase refers to getting sunburnt. So, whenever you see someone with a tan after sunbathing, you can use this phrase.

Example: Be careful not to catch the Sun in the excitement of a Beach trip.

This phrase in general means to pack minimalistic things or travel lightly.

Example: Boys the tracking trip is going to be rough, so make sure to pack light .

Normally, to be in the same boat means you, along with your companion are facing the same adversity.

Example : Don’t feel sad brother, given my financial situation at this point, I think we both are sailing in the same boat .

Explore more exciting reads below:

These were all the idioms for travelling. To read more about idioms you can check our page at  Leverage Edu.

Nikita Puri

Nikita is a creative writer and editor, who is always ready to learn new skills. She has great knowledge about study abroad universities, researching and writing blogs about them. Being a perfectionist, she has a habit of keeping her tasks complete on time before the OCD hits her. When Nikita is not busy working, you can find her eating while binge-watching The office. Also, she breathes music. She has done her bachelor's from Delhi University and her master's from Jamia Millia Islamia.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Leaving already?

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

India's Biggest Virtual University Fair

Essex Direct Admission Day

Why attend .

Don't Miss Out

El mundo de los idiomas

Nowadays, and thanks to low-cost airlines , it’s very common for people to travel a few times throughout the year to many different places all around the world . Some of the most visited places lately are Thailand, Japan and the US…

For this reason, we might have heard new idioms in English that we didn’t quite understand and we’d like to learn ; or perhaps we’re just looking for new vocabulary to use on our next trip and leave the people we’re going with amazed with our new-found knowledge .

Whatever the reason you have chosen, in today’s blog we’re going to take a look at a few common English idioms for travelling .

1. To travel/ pack light

When someone says they need to pack or travel light, it means they can’t bring a lot of things with them on their trip.

For example: “I’m only going to the south for the weekend, so I have to pack light”.

2. To hit the road

To hit the road means to start a journey or to leave . It can also be used in normal, daily life when you decide it’s time for you to go home .

For example: “We have to be there by 10 am, so we’re hitting the road early tomorrow” or “I’ve been here long enough, it’s time I hit the road”.

3. To catch the sun

This idiom can be used whenever you go to the beach and someone gets sunburnt , so if you know anyone who gets burnt easily don’t miss the opportunity to use it with them!

For example: “Be careful you don’t catch too much sun at the beach, remember to put on some sunscreen!”

4. To live it up

Whenever you are having a really good time and enjoying your holiday , without worrying about anything (not even about money) you can use this idiom.

For example: “We’re really going to live it up in Las Vegas next month!”

5. On a shoestring/ on the cheap

This idiom is the complete opposite of the previous one. To do something on a shoestring or on the cheap, it means that you are doing it without spending a lot of money .

For example: “I’m going to travel around Europe on a shoestring. I’ll be staying at hostels and buying food in supermarkets”

6. At the crack of dawn

To do something at the crack of dawn means that you’re doing it just as the sun is rising . It means you’re doing it at the earliest possible time .

For example: “The plane leaves at 7.30 am, so we have to get up at the crack of dawn to get to the airport on time”.

7. To call it a day/ night

When someone calls it a day or a night, it means that they stop doing anything else for the rest of the day , or that they finish what they’re doing and go to bed .

For example: “We went sightseeing in Rome, but we ended up feeling so exhausted that we called it a day and went back to the hotel”.

8. Off the beaten track

If a place or something is off the beaten track, it means that it is far away from where many people live , or in a remote location .

For example: “I want to stay on this island all summer because it’s off the beaten track, so there’s not many people here and it’s quiet and peaceful.”

9. To catch the red-eye

When a person says they have to catch the red-eye it means they have to take a plane which is leaving very late at night .

For example: “I have to sleep during the day as I’m catching a red-eye tonight”.

10. Live out of a suitcase

To live out of a suitcase means that a person stays in many different places for only a short period of time , and with only enough things to put in a suitcase .

For example: “My cousin has been living out of a suitcase for years, her mother wishes she would settle down already”.

11. Break the journey

When someone breaks the journey, it means they decide to stop somewhere for a while during a long journey .

For example: “Our journey was so long that we decided to break the journey in a few places so we could rest for some days”.

Now it’s your turn to practice! Which common English idiom for travelling would you use in the following sentences?

• The explorers have just found a village …………. There weren’t many people living there, and it was quite isolated.

a. To catch the red-eye

b. Off the beaten track

c. At the crack of dawn

• It’s time you settled down, Eric. Don’t ………… any longer.

a. Break the journey

b. Call it a day

c. Live out of a suitcase

• I need to ………… now. I have an appointment with the dentist this afternoon.

a. Hit the road

b. Live it up

c. Travel light

• Do you need some help collecting your luggage, or are you …………?

a. Living out of a suitcase

b. On a shoestring

c. Travelling light

So, which of these idioms have you liked the most ? Which one have you already decided to use on your next journey ? If you know any other English idioms related to travelling , leave them in the comments section below!

I would also like to let you know that this will be our last blog post for the summer ; we’ll be back with more interesting posts on September 2 nd . See you soon and have a lovely summer!

¿Quieres recibir noticias mías?

Cada semana compartimos consejos gratuitos sobre aprender idiomas, tips y recomendaciones sobre Gran Canaria, hablamos de nuestros viajes por el mundo y, además, yo personalmente hablo sobre las enseñanzas que me da la vida.

Como siempre, también tenemos una sorpresa para ti: Inscríbete en nuestra newsletter y recibirás nuestra guía gratuita con los 5 tips para mejorar tu inglés.

Artículos Relacionados

5 objetivos que te ayudamos a conseguir en NikaTeacher

10 errores más comunes en inglés que escucho a diario

Speaking classes online

CLASES DE INGLÉS POR TELÉFONO

Ya colaboramos con.

© NikaTeacher 2015 – 2024 – Política de privacidad

• C/ Bécquer, 2 / 35006 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
• +34 617 948 166
• [email protected]

• +34 938757356
• Subscribe for free

• Confidence in business meetings
• Excellence in email writing
• How to engage people in conversation
• Business Idioms 1
• how to teach any language online starter course
• ​​​Upper-Intermediate (B2) General English Online Course
• ​Intermediate (B1) General English Online Course
• ​Pre-intermediate (A2) General English Online Course
• ​Cambridge ​Advanced Certificate in English (C1)
• Cambridge First Certificate in English (b2)
• How to avoid the most common mistakes in English
• one-to-one-private-coaching

No products in the cart.

037 Travel idioms and expressions for holidays

Hello and welcome to the Art of Business English. Well for those of us in the northern hemisphere it is August and most of us are heading off on holidays. If you haven’t already checked out our previous episodes on travel then take a look, I will put a link to them in the show notes. In today’s episode I want to share some travel idioms with you, so that you can impress your friends and family with your English knowledge.

Just imagine, you’re on an overseas trip where English is required to communicate and get around, and you bust out some of these expressions and idioms. You can impress your children, friends or family members with your dazzling array of English language skills and then share the translation with them.

So, in today’s episode we will be look at the following:

• Useful travel idioms for your next trip.
• Translations and contextual examples.
• Final tips on how to start using these expressions.

Let’s get started with some useful and interesting travel expressions and idioms.

Travel Idioms and Expressions

I’ll start by giving you the English expression and then the Spanish translation.

OK, now that we have the expressions covered and their meanings, let’s take a look at some examples sentences in context. 

Expressions in context

Let’s start by looking at the common vocabulary. You should notice that in these examples I have added some further expressions and idioms. See if you can pick up on them. Take note of the new expressions you find.

 I hope you understand these expressions now that I have added some context. Did you find the other expressions that I added to the examples?

How to Engage People in Conversation

How to keep a conversation going?

With this course, I’m teaching my entire system that shows you how to engage people in conversation with confidence. This is the entire, workable system that I have been teaching for many years to get my students' the results they desire.

Are you looking to expand your knowledge of English vocabulary and expressions? 

Grab your copy of my eBook "500 Business English Collocations for Everyday Use". Includes free download audio of pronunciation 

Let’s quickly review them, just to see if you are on the right track.

• To work on something
• To make ends meet
• Trip of a lifetime
• To splash out
• At your fingertips
• To hold someone back
• To look forward to
• To head home

Well, there are a few more for you, what I encourage you to do is look up there meaning and find out the translation.

Let’s move on to the final part of this week’s episode. 

So, the first thing you should do is decide which expressions you like the most. In this episode there are nearly 35 expressions to choose from. Take a pen and paper or if you’re an AOBE member you can download a copy of the expressions. Note down your top 10 expressions and commit them to memory. If you are on holiday then you should have some free time to brush up on your English and you can take 30 minutes out of your day to learn them.

Once you feel comfortable with your top ten expressions, try and use them in your next interaction in English. You will be surprised how many situations will present themselves where you can slip one of these expressions into your conversation. 

Final thoughts 

Well, that brings us to the end of another episode. As you can see, there are some really great, interesting and fun expressions that you can use in your daily interactions in English.

Please feel free to share this episode with your friends and family. If you are on holiday, then have a great break and use every opportunity possible to practice your English. Remember, don’t be shy, the more interactions you have the better you will get at your English.

Finally, be sure to check out my other episodes on travel, which you can find in the show notes. Well, that is all from me, happy travels and I will see you all next week.

You are ready to learn English

We have a way to help you.

Click below to get started with a free consultation call to assess your learning needs and set you up with a learning plan. 

Listen & Subscribe For Free 

Listen On iTunes!

Listen On Stitcher!

Listen On Spotify!

Related Posts

How English can launch your career with Arnau Camprubi

How to get the most out of your q&a, verbs of communication to help your express yourself better, twenty multi-word verbs starting with c for business.

Andrew is the CEO and founder of the Art of Business English. Besides teaching and coaching native Spanish speakers in Business English, he is also passionate about mountain biking, sailing and healthy living. When He is not working, Andrew loves to spend time with his family and friends.

Andrew Ambrosius

Session expired

Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.

DO YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START?

COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW

And we will be in touch shortly to help you improve in your desired area. 

What area do you most want to improve?

• I need to give better  presentations
• I want to feel more confident socialising
• I need to be better in meetings
• I need to communicate better over email

The Most Interesting Travel Idioms And Expressions

by Melissa Giroux | Last updated Feb 25, 2023 | Quotes , Travel Tips

As you travel the world, you’ll hear common travel expressions or travel idioms .

An idiom is basically a common expression that means something different from the literal meaning of the individual words.

As a non-native English speaker, I didn’t know a lot of idioms about travel, but the more I traveled, the more I heard different English phrases about travel.

In this post, you’ll find the most popular travel idioms and expressions, as well as their meaning.

Bump in the road

Meaning: When there’s a problem or a setback.

Example: We hit a bump in the road when we realized we needed a special license to drive there.

Break the journey

Meaning: To stop somewhere for a short period of time during a long trip.

Example: We made a stopover in Dubai to break the journey.

Hit the road

Meaning: To start the journey or to leave.

Example: I’m getting bored here, it’s time to hit the road.

Hit the beach

Meaning: To go to the beach

Example: It’s sunny today; should we hit the beach?

Meaning: Refers to a fashionable and luxurious way of traveling.

Example: We spent two weeks jet-setting around resorts in the Maldives.

To be on track

Meaning: When something goes as scheduled or planned.

Example: We landed 20 minutes earlier than expected, so we’re on track for the next flight.

To have itchy feet

Meaning: When someone has a strong desire to travel.

Example: I’ve been here too long, it gives me itchy feet.

Travel light

Meaning: When someone travels with a small bag and doesn’t bring many things with them.

Example: I didn’t pay for extra luggage, so I’ll travel light.

To miss the boat

Meaning: Missing out on an opportunity.

Example: We wanted to join, but we got here too late. We missed the boat on that one.

To hitch a ride

Meaning: To get a free ride in someone’s car. 

Example: I’m on a budget, so I’ll just hitch a ride to get there.

To part ways

Meaning: When people go in different directions and split.

Example: We traveled together for a month, and then we had to part ways.

To set up camp

Meaning: To prepare for sleeping outside. (Like camping)

Example: This seems like a good spot to set up camp tonight.

Off the beaten track

Meaning: Visiting a remote location or a place where most people don’t go.

Example: I don’t like the tourist crowds, so I’m heading to visit the tribes up north because it’s off the beaten track.

On a shoestring

Meaning: When someone travels on a budge t and doesn’t spend much money.

Example: I’m traveling on a shoestring, so I’m volunteering on farms to travel longer.

Meaning: Doing something quickly.

Example: I’m tired, I’ll just cook something on the fly.

Meaning: Taking a short break during a road trip so you can put more fuel in the car, get food, or rest.

Example: We’ve been driving for three hours; let’s take a pit stop at the next exit.

Meaning: Angry behavior when driving.

Example: There was too much traffic, and the driver had a severe case of road rage.

Make your way back

Meaning: Returning home or to the starting point.

Example: It’s getting dark; it’s time to make our way back.

Meaning: Having a difficult time.

Example: We had a long rocky road ahead of us when we moved to Bulgaria.

Smooth sailing

Meaning: Having an easy time with no difficulty.

Example: It was relatively smooth sailing when we went through customs.

Meaning: To abandon something while in the middle of it.

Example: It started raining halfway through our trek, so we decided to jump ship.

To live out of a suitcase

Meaning: When someone travels to different places and only has a suitcase with them.

Example: Before living in Bulgaria , I was living out of a suitcase for years.

Final Thoughts On Travel Idioms And Expressions

And there you go – you finally know the most popular English travel expressions and idioms.

Don’t be surprised if you hear them during your travels! 

Want more inspiration? Read one of the following posts:

• Funny travel captions
• Funny travel Instagram captions
• Travel after pandemic quotes

MY TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

BOOK HOTEL ON BOOKING.COM

BOOK HOSTEL ON HOSTELWORLD

GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

LEARN HOW TO START A TRAVEL BLOG

LEARN HOW TO VOLUNTEER ABROAD

Idioms about Travel

1. off the beaten track.

• A place or route that is far away from where many people live.

2. Make your way back

• To try to return to your point of origin.

3. Hustle and bustle

• To have many activities, used to describe a crowded and modern place.

4. Live out of a suitcase

• To stay in several places for only a short time, with only enough belongings to put in a suitcase.

5. Travel broadens the mind.

• To know more about the world, understand more about culture and have more life experience.

6. Hit the road

• To leave or start a journey.

7. Break the journey

• To stop somewhere for a while during a long journey.

8. Have/get/give [someone] itchy feet

• To want to travel or to do something new.

9. Thirst for adventure

• To have an intense desire to travel, explore new places and have new experiences.

Related Lessons

13 Common Idioms on Various Topics

6 Common Idioms about Decisions

8 Common Idioms about Time

7 Common Idioms about Dreams

6 Common Idioms about Friendship

9 Common Idioms about Work

12 Common Idioms about Health

11 Common Idioms about Happiness and Sadness

Leave a Reply:

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

improving student skills for success

Unlock the World of Travel Idioms: Enhance Your English Language Skills!

idioms A-B idioms C-F idioms G-L idioms M-S idioms T-Z

Ultimate List of Travel Idioms with Meanings and Example Sentences

idiom, definition, example sentence

A change of pace

• Doing something different or at a different speed to add variety or excitement.
• After studying for hours, I decided to take a break and go for a bike ride to have a change of pace.

A change of scenery

• Going to a different place or environment, often to find inspiration or a fresh perspective.
• Our family decided to go camping in the mountains for a change of scenery during the summer break.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

• A big journey starts with a small step.
• Learning to play the piano may seem difficult, but remember, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Just start practicing one note at a time!

A leap of faith

• Taking a big risk or making a decision without knowing the outcome.
• Sarah decided to take a leap of faith and try out for the school play, even though she had never acted before.

A road less traveled

• Choosing a less popular or unconventional path.
• Instead of going to the crowded beach, we decided to explore a hiking trail in the mountains – taking the road less traveled.

A ticket to ride

• An opportunity to travel or experience something new.
• Winning the contest gave us a ticket to ride on a hot air balloon for the first time.

All aboard!

• A phrase used to announce that everyone should get on a vehicle or start an adventure.
• The conductor shouted, “All aboard!” as the train was about to depart from the station.

All roads lead to Rome

• There are different paths to reach the same goal or destination.
• There are many ways to solve a math problem, but remember, all roads lead to Rome – there’s more than one correct answer.

Any port in the storm

• When you are in a difficult situation, you will accept any help or solution, even if it’s not ideal.
• I didn’t like the hotel, but it was the only one available, so it became any port in the storm.

Around the block

• Experienced and good understanding of the situation
• It was a critical meeting but John had been around the block so he was ok.

Asleep at the wheel

• Not paying attention or being unaware of what is happening.
• Sarah was asleep at the wheel during the meeting and missed important information.

At a crossroads

• Facing a decision or a point in life where one must choose between different options or paths.
• After completing high school, she found herself at a crossroads, deciding whether to pursue higher education or start working.

At the crack of dawn

• Very early in the morning, at the first light of day.
• The hikers woke up at the crack of dawn to start their ascent to the mountain peak before the heat of the day.

At the wheel

• In control or in charge of a situation.
• With the manager at the wheel, the team felt confident about the project.

Backseat driver

• A person who gives unwanted or excessive advice or criticism to the person who is actually driving.
• Sarah’s father is a backseat driver, constantly telling her what to do while she’s behind the wheel, even though she’s an experienced driver.

Bad news travels fast

• Negative information spreads quickly.
• When Tim broke the window, he knew bad news travels fast, and soon everyone in the school heard about it.

Be In the driver’s seat

• To be in control of a situation or have the power to make decisions.
• With his extensive experience and knowledge, he was confident in being in the driver’s seat of the project.

Bite the bullet

• Facing a difficult or unpleasant situation with bravery and determination.
• Although I was scared, I had to bite the bullet and give a presentation in front of the whole class.

Blow off steam

• To do something to release stress or tension.
• After a long day at school, I like to go to the park and play soccer to blow off steam.

Bon voyage!

• A French phrase used to wish someone a good and safe journey.
• As I waved goodbye to my friend who was leaving for a vacation, I said, “Bon voyage! Have a great trip!”

Bump in the road

• A minor difficulty or obstacle encountered during a journey or process.
• Despite facing a few bumps in the road, such as flight delays and lost luggage, they managed to enjoy their vacation and create wonderful memories.
• A journey or experience that is full of challenges or difficulties.
• The road to success is not always easy; it can be a bumpy ride with ups and downs.

Burn your boats

• To commit fully to a course of action without any possibility of turning back.
• When Jenny decided to start her own business, she burned her boats by quitting her job.

back to top

Cabin fever

• Feeling restless or frustrated after being indoors for too long.
• During the winter break, I started getting cabin fever because I hadn’t gone outside to play for days due to the snowstorm.

Call It A Night

• To decide or agree to end an activity or event and go to bed.
• After a long day of sightseeing, we decided to call it a night and return to the hotel to rest.

Carry coal to Newcastle

• Doing something redundant or unnecessary.
• Bringing sandwiches to a picnic is like carrying coal to Newcastle; there’s already plenty of food.

Carve out a path

• Creating a unique and distinct way of doing things or achieving goals.
• Emily decided to carve out her own path in the music industry by starting her own band and writing her own songs.

Catch some rays

• To spend time in the sun.
• Let’s go to the beach and catch some rays. We can relax and enjoy the warm sunshine.

Catch the red-eye

• Taking a flight late at night often to arrive early in the morning.
• To make sure she was at the meeting on time Mary caught the red-eye.

Catch the sun

• To sunbathe or be outdoors to get a tan.
• During the vacation, the family decided to catch the sun on the beach every afternoon.

Catch your eye

• Attract attention or draw someone’s notice.
• The colorful painting in the gallery immediately caught my eye.

Catching some rays

• Spending time under the sun, usually for sunbathing or getting a tan.
• Sarah went to the pool and spent the afternoon catching some rays and reading her favorite book.

Cross that bridge when we get to it

• To deal with a problem or challenge when it arises, rather than worrying about it in advance.
• Instead of stressing about the upcoming presentation, let’s cross that bridge when we get to it and focus on our current tasks.

Deck the halls

• Decorating a place, especially during festive seasons like Christmas.
• During the holiday season, our family gets together to deck the halls with colorful lights, ornaments, and garlands.

Desert a sinking ship

• To abandon or leave a failing or doomed situation or endeavor.
• When the company’s financial situation worsened, many employees chose to desert the sinking ship and seek employment elsewhere.

Destination of dreams

• A place that someone has always wanted to visit or reach.
• Paris has always been my destination of dreams. I dream of visiting the Eiffel Tower and enjoying French pastries.

Dive in headfirst

• To start or engage in something without hesitation or reservations.
• Jake was eager to learn how to swim, so he took a deep breath and dived in headfirst into the pool.

Drive a hard bargain

• To be strong when making agreements like buying or selling, and demand a lot in exchange for something.
• The salesman tried to drive a hard bargain, but Susan negotiated a better price.

Drive someone up the wall

• To annoy or irritate someone significantly.
• Her constant nagging and complaining about small things drive her colleagues up the wall.

Far and away

• By a great margin or to a significant degree.
• She was far and away the fastest runner in the competition, winning the race by a large margin.

Far and wide

• In many different places or over a large area.
• The news of the new amusement park spread far and wide, attracting visitors from all over the country.

Fifth wheel

• An extra and unnecessary person in a group or situation.
• Being the only child on the family camping trip made Jake feel like a fifth wheel.

Find your bearings

• To become familiar with your surroundings or understand your position in a new place.
• When you arrive at a new school, it may take some time to find your bearings and figure out where everything is located.

Fly by the seat of your pants

• To do something without a clear plan or preparation, relying on instinct or improvisation.
• Without any prior experience, he had to fly by the seat of his pants during the impromptu presentation.

Flying high

• Feeling ecstatic, successful, or on top of the world.
• After receiving an A+ on her science project, Mary was flying high with joy and pride.

From place to place

• To move or travel frequently or continuously between different locations.
• As a touring musician, he lived a nomadic lifestyle, going from place to place to perform concerts and connect with fans.

Get away from it all

• Taking a break or escaping from one’s usual routine or responsibilities.
• During the summer vacation, my family and I like to go camping to get away from it all and enjoy nature.

Get itchy feet

• To feel a strong desire to travel or move on.
• After staying in one place for too long, Mark began to get itchy feet and decided to explore new destinations.

Get the show on the road

• To start or begin an activity or event.
• The concert is about to start; let’s get the show on the road and take our seats.

Globetrotter

• A person who travels to many different places around the world.
• Samantha is a globetrotter who has visited more than 30 countries and experienced various cultures.

Going on a joyride

• Taking a trip or drive purely for enjoyment and excitement.
• When my dad bought a new car, we went on a joyride to explore the countryside and enjoy the scenic views.

Happy camper

• A person who is content and satisfied with their current situation or experience.
• After winning the game, Tim was a happy camper with a big smile on his face.

Have a one-track mind

• To be excessively focused or preoccupied with a single topic or objective.
• When he’s passionate about something, he tends to have a one-track mind and can’t think about anything else.

Hit the ground running

• Starting a project or task quickly and energetically.
• As soon as the new school year started, the teacher hit the ground running by assigning interesting projects to the students.

Hit the road

• To begin a journey or start traveling.
• It’s time to hit the road and start our family vacation to the beach. Let’s pack up the car and go!

Hitch a ride

• To get a free or informal ride in someone else’s vehicle.
• As my bike tire got punctured, I had to hitch a ride with my neighbor to get to school on time.

Home away from home

• A place where one feels comfortable and at ease, as if it were their own home.
• After staying at my grandmother’s house for a week, it became my home away from home.

In the driver’s seat

• In control of a situation or decision-making.
• With Jane in the driver’s seat, the team successfully completed the project.

In the same boat

• In a similar situation or facing the same challenges as others.
• We are all struggling with the math homework, so don’t worry, we’re in the same boat.

In your element

• Being in a situation where one is comfortable and performs well.
• Jenny is in her element when she’s on stage performing in front of an audience.
• A strong desire or restless urge to travel or go on an adventure.
• After months of staying at home, I started getting itchy feet and couldn’t wait to embark on my next travel adventure.
• The feeling of tiredness and disorientation caused by traveling across different time zones.
• After a long flight, I experienced jet lag and had trouble adjusting to the new time zone.

Jet set lifestyle

• A glamorous and luxurious lifestyle that involves frequent travel to different places.
• Movie stars and celebrities often have a jet set lifestyle, flying to exotic destinations for events and vacations.

Journey into the unknown

• Embarking on an adventure or exploration without knowing what lies ahead.
• The brave explorers ventured into the dense jungle, ready for their journey into the unknown.

Journey of a lifetime

• An extraordinary and unforgettable trip or experience that one will cherish forever.
• Climbing Mount Everest was a journey of a lifetime for the experienced mountaineer.

Jump on the bandwagon

• To join or support a popular trend, movement, or opinion.
• After the team’s victory, many fans jumped on the bandwagon and started cheering for them.

Just around the corner

• Very close or imminent; expected to happen or be reached soon.
• Don’t worry; the restaurant is just around the corner, and we’ll be there in a few minutes

Leap into the great unknown

• Taking a bold and fearless step into a new and uncertain situation.
• Graduating from high school, Jake decided to leap into the great unknown by moving to a different city for college.

Let the good times roll

• To enjoy and celebrate life, typically by engaging in fun activities.
• It’s our summer vacation! Let’s gather our friends and let the good times roll with beach parties and barbecues.

Let your hair down

• To relax and enjoy oneself without worrying about social constraints.
• After a week of hard work, it’s nice to let your hair down and have some fun on the weekend.

Light at the end of the tunnel

• A positive or hopeful outlook or indication that a difficult situation will improve.
• Despite the challenges, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and better days are ahead.

Live out of a suitcase

• To be constantly traveling or living in different places, carrying minimal belongings.
• As a touring musician, he had to live out of a suitcase, staying in hotels and moving from one city to another.

Living the high life

• Enjoying a luxurious and extravagant lifestyle.
• With his successful business, he was living the high life, owning fancy cars and a beautiful mansion.

Lost in translation

• When something is misunderstood or its true meaning is not conveyed when translated from one language to another.
• The joke didn’t make sense when translated; it was lost in translation and didn’t have the same humor.

Lost your train of thought

• To forget what you were talking about or lose your focus.
• During the presentation, Tom lost his train of thought and couldn’t remember the next point.
• Daydreaming or mentally distracted, not paying attention to what is happening around.
• During the boring lecture, Jenny was miles away, thinking about her upcoming vacation.

My way or the highway

• An expression indicating a person’s insistence on doing things their own way or not at all.
• He’s not open to other suggestions; it’s always his way or the highway when it comes to decision-making.

Off the beaten path / track

• Going to places that are less known or less traveled by tourists.
• The lake is beautiful although it’s off the beaten track.

Off the grid

• Being disconnected from technology and living a self-sustainable lifestyle.
• During our camping trip, we were off the grid, without any cell service or electricity.

On a shoestring

• To travel or undertake something with a very limited budget or with very little money.
• They managed to explore the city on a shoestring budget, staying in budget accommodations and eating cheap street food.

On a wing and a prayer

• To do something with very little chance of success, relying on luck or hope.
• They entered the competition on a wing and a prayer, not expecting to win but hoping for the best.

On cloud nine

• Feeling extremely happy and joyful.
• Sarah was on cloud nine after receiving a surprise gift from her best friend.

On the cheap

• To do something or acquire something with minimal cost or expense.
• They planned their vacation on the cheap, opting for budget accommodations and cooking their meals.

On the horizon

• Something that is about to happen or become visible soon.
• The summer vacation was on the horizon, and the students were excitedly counting down the days.

Pack one’s bags

• To prepare for a trip by putting belongings into a suitcase or bag.
• The family was getting ready for their vacation; it was time to pack their bags with clothes and essentials.

Packing a punch

• Having a strong impact or delivering a powerful effect.
• Although the movie was short, it packed a punch with its intense action scenes and suspenseful plot.

Put the pedal to the metal

• To accelerate or increase speed, especially in a determined or forceful manner.
• With the deadline approaching, they had to put the pedal to the metal and work overtime to complete the project.

Rest and relaxation (R&R)

• Taking time off to rest and rejuvenate, often during a vacation.
• After a busy week at school, the weekend was all about R&R, spending time relaxing and doing activities we enjoy.
• Intense anger or aggressive behavior shown by a driver in response to a traffic-related incident or frustration while driving.
• The rush hour traffic caused a lot of road rage, with drivers honking, yelling, and even engaging in dangerous behaviors.
• A journey or excursion taken by car, usually with friends or family.
• We planned a road trip to visit national parks and famous landmarks across the country during the summer break.

Rolling in the dough

• Having a lot of money or being very wealthy.
• The successful entrepreneur was rolling in the dough after his business became a huge success.

Rolling with the waves

• Going along with the flow or adapting to changes smoothly.
• Instead of stressing over the unexpected changes, Sara decided to go with the flow and started rolling with the waves.

Sail close to the wind

• To engage in risky or borderline behavior, pushing the limits of what is considered acceptable or safe.
• His business practices often sail close to the wind, skirting the line between legality and questionable ethics.

Sailing through life

• Having an easy and smooth journey through life without facing many challenges.
• With supportive parents and excellent opportunities, he seemed to be sailing through life effortlessly.

See the sights

• Visiting and exploring famous or interesting places in a new location.
• When we visited Paris, we made sure to see the sights such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Set off on an odyssey

• Embarking on a long and adventurous journey or quest.
• The brave knights set off on an odyssey to rescue the captured princess from the evil dragon.
• To begin a voyage or start a journey by boat or ship.
• As the captain shouted “Set sail!” the ship started its journey across the vast ocean.

Sightseeing

• Engaging in activities or touring places to see and explore the attractions.
• During our vacation in London, we spent the day sightseeing, visiting famous landmarks like Big Ben and the Tower of London.

Sinking ship

• A situation or endeavor that is failing or doomed to fail, often accompanied by a sense of urgency to abandon it.
• The company was in financial trouble, and many employees started looking for new jobs, sensing that it was a sinking ship.

Smooth sailing

• Progressing or proceeding without any difficulties or obstacles.
• After resolving the technical issues, the project was back on track, and it was smooth sailing from there.

Soak up the sun

• To spend time enjoying the sunshine or basking in the warmth of the sun.
• During the summer vacation, we went to the beach to soak up the sun and play in the sand.

Spread your wings and fly

• To gain independence, explore new opportunities, or pursue one’s ambitions.
• After graduating from college, she was eager to spread her wings and fly by moving to a different city.

Step into the unknown

• Taking a brave and uncertain step into a new and unfamiliar situation.
• Moving to a new city for college was stepping into the unknown, but I was excited about the new experiences.

Take a breather

• To pause and take a short break to relax and catch one’s breath.
• After finishing the long hike, we decided to take a breather and enjoy the beautiful view from the mountaintop.

Take a hike

• A phrase used to tell someone to go away or leave.
• The annoyed hiker shouted at the noisy group, “Take a hike! This is a peaceful nature trail!”

Taken for a ride

• To be tricked, or exploit by someone for personal gain.
• Be cautious when dealing with  salespeople; they have a reputation for taking customers for a ride.

Take the plunge

• To take a risk or make a bold decision, often without hesitation.
• After much consideration, Sarah decided to take the plunge and start her own business.

Take the road less traveled

• To choose a path or course of action that is unconventional or less popular.
• Instead of following the traditional career path, she decided to take the road less traveled and start her own business.

Take the scenic route

• Choosing a longer or more picturesque path instead of the most direct one.
• Instead of taking the highway, we decided to take the scenic route, driving through beautiful countryside roads.

Take the wind out of your sails

• To deflate or diminish someone’s enthusiasm, confidence, or accomplishment.
• His negative comments took the wind out of her sails and made her question her abilities.

The best of both worlds

• Enjoying the advantages or benefits of two different things at the same time.
• Working as a freelance writer allows me to have the best of both worlds – the flexibility of my own schedule and the stability of regular income.

The call of the open road

• The strong desire or urge to travel and explore new places.
• As soon as he got his driver’s license, he felt the call of the open road and planned a solo road trip.

The journey is the destination

• The process or experience of a journey is more important or enjoyable than reaching the final goal.
• While hiking in the mountains, we realized that the journey is the destination, as we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the sense of accomplishment along the way.

The path less traveled

• Choosing a less conventional or popular option or approach.
• Instead of pursuing a traditional career, she decided to take the path less traveled and started her own organic farm.

The ultimate escape

• A getaway or vacation that provides complete relaxation and detachment from daily routines.
• Staying in a remote beach resort with no internet access was the ultimate escape from the busy city life.

The world is one’s oyster

• The world is full of opportunities and possibilities for someone to explore and achieve success.
• With her talent and determination, she believed that the world was her oyster, and she could achieve anything she set her mind to.

Throw someone under the bus

• To betray or sacrifice someone to protect oneself or avoid blame or punishment.
• Instead of taking responsibility, he threw his colleague under the bus to save himself from the consequences.

Time flies when you’re having fun

• The perception that time passes quickly when you are enjoying yourself.
• We were having so much fun at the amusement park that time flew by, and suddenly it was evening.

Travel Broadens The Mind

• The experience of traveling exposes one to different cultures, perspectives, and ideas, leading to personal growth and expanded knowledge.
• She firmly believes that travel broadens the mind and encourages everyone to explore the world.

Travel light

• To pack and carry only essential items while traveling, without unnecessary baggage.
• When going on a weekend trip, it’s best to travel light and bring only a small backpack with the essentials.

Travel on an empty stomach

• To go on a journey or travel without having eaten anything beforehand.
• We didn’t have time for breakfast, so we had to travel on an empty stomach until we reached our destination.

Uncharted territory

• An unknown or unexplored area or subject.
• As a scientist, he was excited to explore the uncharted territory of deep-sea ecosystems.

Under the sun

• Everywhere or in all places.
• They searched for the lost treasure far and wide, exploring every island and coastline under the sun.

Vacation from vacation

• A short break or rest taken after a vacation to relax and recover from the activities of the previous trip.
• After a week of exploring theme parks, we needed a vacation from vacation to relax and recharge at home.

Venture off the beaten path

• To explore and go to places that are not commonly visited by tourists.
• Instead of following the popular tourist routes, we decided to venture off the beaten path and discover hidden gems in the city.

Wheels in motion

• The process of something starting or moving forward.
• With the approval of the project, we set the wheels in motion and began working on the first phase.

Wheels of fortune

• The unpredictable and ever-changing nature of luck or success.
• In the game of life, the wheels of fortune can turn in unexpected ways, bringing both challenges and opportunities.

Whisked away

• To be taken or transported quickly and suddenly to another place.
• As a surprise, my parents whisked me away to a tropical island for my birthday.

Wind in your hair

• The feeling of freedom and excitement experienced while driving or riding with the wind blowing through your hair.
• Riding a motorcycle along the coastal road, she felt the wind in her hair and a sense of exhilaration.

Winding road

• A path or journey that is full of twists, turns, or uncertainties.
• Starting a new business can be a winding road with challenges and unexpected obstacles along the way.

World traveler

• A person who has traveled extensively to various parts of the world.
• As a world traveler, he has visited over 50 countries and has a wealth of cultural experiences.

Worn-out traveler

• A tired or exhausted person who has been traveling for a long time.
• After a 24-hour flight, the worn-out traveler couldn’t wait to check into a hotel and get some rest.

related articles:

• animal idioms
• food idioms
• money idioms
• nature idioms
• love idioms
• life idioms
• idioms list
• idiom exercises

Grow Your English with Idioms about Travel

It’s time to learn some phrases related to traveling and transportation.

Learn English Idioms that refer to Travel

Take a look at he definitions and example sentences to help understand the meanings of these expressions about travel and transport

Idioms in Action: Examples of Travel-related Idiomatic Expressions

You may come across these words used by a native speaker and you’ll be confused if you have not seen these travel expressions before.

Mastering Travel Idioms: Enhancing Your English Vocabulary

Jump on the wagon, settle in, and it will be plane sailing with this great list of idioms to help you improve your vocabulary.

Break the Journey and Go off the Beaten Track with English Idioms about Travel

Enjoy these and other idioms, either with these lists or via the exercises provided, good luck!

• TheFreeDictionary
• Word / Article
• Starts with
• Free toolbar & extensions
• Word of the Day
• Free content
• at a good clip
• bad news travels fast
• have (something), will travel
• he travels (the) fastest who travels alone
• He travels fastest who travels alone
• it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive
• mile a minute
• off the beaten track
• safe travels
• take the path less traveled
• take the road less traveled
• the path less traveled
• the road less traveled
• travel across
• travel across (something or some place)
• travel all over (some place)
• travel at a fast clip
• travel broadens the mind
• travel by (something)
• travel for (something)
• travel in a body
• travel light
• travel on (one's) own
• travel on (something)
• travel on a full/empty stomach
• travel over
• travel over (something or some place)
• travel through
• travel through (something or some place)
• travel with
• travel with (someone or something)
• transmute (something) into (something)
• transmute (something) to (something)
• transpose (something) from (something)
• transpose (something) from (something) (in)to (something)
• transpose (something) to (something)
• trap (someone or something) in (something)
• trap (someone or something) into (something)
• trash bandit
• trash heap of history
• trash mouth
• trash panda
• travel on (one's) own
• Travancore kingdom
• Travancore National and Quilon
• Travancore province
• Travancore-Cochin
• Travaux Conception Duplication Service
• Travaux de La Vallée de La Lys
• Travaux Dirigés
• Travaux Electriques du Midi
• Travaux et Fourniture de Services Extérieurs
• Travaux Forestiers Michel
• Travaux Personnels Encadrés
• Travaux Pratiques
• travaux preparatoires
• Travaux préparatoires
• Travaux Publics
• Travaux Publics Bourcier
• Travaux Publics et Services Gouvernementaux Canada
• Travaux Publics Hantz Marc
• Trave River
• Travel & Accommodation
• Travel & Entertainment
• Travel & Living
• Travel & Living Allowance
• Travel & Lodging
• Travel & Night Subsistence
• Travel & Subsistence
• Travel & Tourism
• Travel & Tourism Marketing Association
• travel a mile a minute
• Travel Accor Reservation System
• Travel adapter
• Travel adaptor
• Travel Adjustable Linear Air Spring
• Travel Advance
• Travel Advance Payment
• Travel Advance Request Form
• Travel Adventure Cinema Society
• Travel Advisory News Network
• Travel agencies
• travel agency
• Facebook Share

Explore Elektrostal

Essential elektrostal.

Elektrostal Is Great For

Eat & drink.

• Apelsin Hotel
• Elektrostal Hotel
• Apart Hotel Yantar
• Mini Hotel Banifatsiy
• Restaurant Globus
• Amsterdam Moments
• Cafe Antresole
• Viki Cinema
• Statue of Lenin
• Park of Culture and Leisure

• Elektrostal
• Tourist destinations near me
• Moscow Oblast

Hotels in Elektrostal

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Eastern Europe
• Moscow Oblast

Elektrostal

Elektrostal Localisation : Country Russia , Oblast Moscow Oblast . Available Information : Geographical coordinates , Population, Area, Altitude, Weather and Hotel . Nearby cities and villages : Noginsk , Pavlovsky Posad and Staraya Kupavna .

Information

Find all the information of Elektrostal or click on the section of your choice in the left menu.

• Update data

Elektrostal Demography

Information on the people and the population of Elektrostal.

Elektrostal Geography

Geographic Information regarding City of Elektrostal .

Elektrostal Distance

Distance (in kilometers) between Elektrostal and the biggest cities of Russia.

Elektrostal Map

Locate simply the city of Elektrostal through the card, map and satellite image of the city.

Elektrostal Nearby cities and villages

Elektrostal weather.

Weather forecast for the next coming days and current time of Elektrostal.

Elektrostal Sunrise and sunset

Find below the times of sunrise and sunset calculated 7 days to Elektrostal.

Elektrostal Hotel

Our team has selected for you a list of hotel in Elektrostal classified by value for money. Book your hotel room at the best price.

Elektrostal Nearby

Below is a list of activities and point of interest in Elektrostal and its surroundings.

Elektrostal Page

• Information /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#info
• Demography /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#demo
• Geography /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#geo
• Distance /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#dist1
• Map /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#map
• Nearby cities and villages /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#dist2
• Weather /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#weather
• Sunrise and sunset /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#sun
• Hotel /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#hotel
• Nearby /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#around
• Page /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#page
• Terms of Use
• Copyright © 2024 DB-City - All rights reserved
• Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data