Idiom Families
The Big Idea
LIFE AND PROJECTS ARE JOURNEYS - decisions are crossroads, control is driving, effort is distance traveled
Journeys & Roads
Plans, careers, and relationships all travel American roads: you hit the road, reach a crossroads, take the driver's seat, go the extra mile, and worry about what's down the road. Picture the highway; the meanings drive themselves.
Fuku's Note
Journey metaphors are ancient and global, but America's version is distinctly automotive - a car culture speaking car idioms. Where British English walks, American English drives.
Ryu's Tip
Ask: where on the road is this? Starting (hit the road), deciding (crossroads), controlling (driver's seat), or future (down the road)?
Idioms in this family
at a crossroads
At a point where an important choice between different futures must be made
down the road
At some point in the future
go the extra mile
To make more effort than is required or expected
hit the road
To leave; to begin a journey
in the driver's seat
In control of a situation