Driving Terms

noun a reserve or alternative option

verb to support or confirm something with evidence or action

• Please remember to back up all important files on the server regularly.
• Hey, don't forget to back up your photos on the cloud!
• I always back up my stuff on an external hard drive, just in case.
• When facing a difficult decision, it's always good to have a strong support system to back you up.

noun a person who gives unwanted advice or direction, especially from the back seat of a vehicle

• The backseat driver constantly gave unsolicited advice during the entire road trip.
• My mom is such a backseat driver whenever I'm behind the wheel.
• I can't stand being a backseat driver when my friend is driving.
• The boss was being a backseat driver, micromanaging every aspect of the project.

noun the act of moving past someone or something

adjective serving as a temporary or brief substitute

preposition moving by or beyond something

• The passing of the new law has sparked a lot of debate among lawmakers.
• Did you hear about the passing of the new policy at work?
• I can't believe the passing of that rule, it's so unnecessary.
• The passing of time is something we can never stop.

noun a long, narrow strap attached at one end to a horse's bit, typically used in pairs to guide or check a horse while riding

verb to guide or control with a rein

• The rider gently pulled on the rein to guide the horse in the right direction.
• Make sure you hold onto the rein tightly when riding the horse.
• I need to rein in my spending before I go broke.
• She had to rein in her emotions before speaking to her boss.

adjective describing something that is wet and making a sloshing sound

• The sloshy sound of water could be heard from the leaking pipe.
• I hate walking in sloshy puddles after it rains.
• The drink was so strong, it made me feel all sloshy.
• Her emotions were sloshy, fluctuating between joy and sadness.

noun a sudden deviation from a straight path

verb to change direction suddenly

• The driver had to swerve to avoid hitting the pedestrian.
• I had to swerve to avoid that pothole on the road.
• He swerved to avoid the drama at the party.
• Her emotions caused her to swerve off course in her decision-making.

noun a maneuver in which an aircraft briefly touches the ground and then takes off again without coming to a full stop

adjective denoting a situation in which success or progress is uncertain or risky

• The pilot reported that the landing was touch and go due to strong crosswinds.
• The situation was touch and go, but we managed to make it just in time.
• It was touch and go whether we'd get tickets to the concert, but we lucked out.
• Their relationship was touch and go for a while, but they eventually worked things out.

noun the act of changing direction or course suddenly

verb to change direction or course suddenly

• The driver had to make a sharp turn to avoid veering off the road.
• I almost veered into the wrong lane while driving today.
• I was veering all over the place on the dance floor last night.
• Her thoughts kept veering towards memories of her childhood.