Idioms about: Time & Travel

Navigating the phrases that pass the time.

Showing 21-40 of 59

Generated image of a sinking ship

Go down with the ship

To go down with the ship means to stay loyal to something or someone even when the situation is failing or ending badly.

This idiom comes from maritime tradition. In the past, a ship's captain was expected to remain on board during a disaster and share the fate of the vessel rather than escape before the passengers and crew.

Even when the company started collapsing, she said she would go down with the ship.

Photo of people canoeing

Go with the flow

The idiom go with the flow means to accept things as they happen. Instead of fighting change, you stay relaxed. If you are sailing or canoeing on a river, you can just let the flow of the water carry you along without having to do extra work.

On holiday, we decided to go with the flow.

Photo of a grounded vessel

High and dry

High and dry means to be left in a difficult situation without help or support. This idiom describes someone who has been abandoned or left to deal with a problem on their own.

The phrase comes from sailing. When the tide goes out, a boat can be left stranded on land above the waterline, literally high and dry. Over time the image became a metaphor for being left stuck without assistance.

They cancelled the ride and left us high and dry.

Photo of a car driving on a road

Hit the road

The idiom hit the road means to leave or start a journey. It is a fairly recent idiom, where "hit" in modern slang means "to start" or "to do" not physically hitting them with violence. It is often used to say you are going to leave an event and go home - or to leave home and go to an event!

It's getting late - we should hit the road.

Photo of  two clydesdales and a wagon

Hold Your Horses

To hold your horses means to slow down or wait for a moment instead of rushing. This idiom is used when someone is moving too quickly or getting ahead of themselves.

The expression comes from the days when people traveled by horse. To hold your horses meant pulling on the reins to stop the animals from moving forward too fast.

Hold your horses, we have not even decided where we are going yet.

Photo of people running a marathon

In the long run

In the long run means over a long period of time or after everything has had lots of time to happen.

The expression has been used in English for many centuries and comes from the idea of a long marathon or journey where the final outcome only becomes clear after enough time has passed.

Saving a little money each week may seem like nothing now, but it helps in the long run.

Photo of ducklings

Last but not least

The phrase last but not least is used when introducing the final item in a list while stressing that it remains important. The position comes from order, not value.

The phrase appeared in English writing several centuries ago. Speakers used it to reassure listeners that the final mention still deserves attention.

Last but not least, we would like to thank the volunteers who helped organize the event.

Altered image of a tunnel with light at the end

Light at the end of the tunnel

The phrase the light at the end of the tunnel means hope after a long or difficult time. It suggests that problems will eventually end. This idiom is derived from the feeling you get after travelling underground for a long time and finally seeing the light that means you are about to come out the other end.

After months of work, we could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Generated image of a man watching paint dry

Like watching paint dry

If something is like watching paint dry it means i is extrtemely boring or slow.

The expression comes from the idea of literally watching paint dry on a wall. Since paint dries slowly and nothing much happens while it does, the comparison suggests a very tedious experience.

The lecture was so dull it felt like watching paint dry.

Generated image of someone missing a ferry

Missed the boat

If you missed the boat it means you missed a good chance or opportunity. If you wait too long, it may be gone. The origin of this phrase is literal, if you miss a boat it leaves without you.
A similar idiom is that ship has sailed.

He took so long to get his application together he missed the boat.