AB
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Figure of Speech Meaning, context, history, etc. (optional)
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It got the green lightWas approved for use, implementation, etc.
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Put the brakes on that; hit the brakesSomething was halted or blocked
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I'm running on emptyI have no energy, as though my car's gas tank is empty
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Backseat driverSomeone who second-guesses every action when you're supposedly in control of the sitiuation
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Let's put that in the parking lotUsed by meeting facilitators when an idea or issue is raised that is not central to the topic or agenda
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Stay in your laneDon't stray from your area of expertise or insert yourself in someone else's business or conversation
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Information superhighway!1990s analogy for the internet
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Deer in headlightsSignifies someone frozen in place by fear or surprise when they need to escape
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Get it in gearTo get moving or into a frame of mind conducive to progress
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Spinning my wheelsExpending a lot of energy or effort without any forward movement
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The Slow Road to xTaking time to observe things while attempting to reach x
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GridlockOriginally referred to traffic jams large enough to prevent everyone from moving, now migrated to non-driving contexts
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Road killliterally animals killed by traffic; figuratively meaning that you or your presence is unwanted
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RubberneckingSlowing down to pass a crash site so you can gawk at it
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Living in the fast laneOverindulging in sex, drugs, rock & roll, alcohol, etc.
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Reaching the end of the roadAnalogy for death, divorce, business failures, and similar endings
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The guardrails are goneProtections against fraud, injury, abuse, etc. have been eliminated
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Your mileage may varyYou may experience different results than other people
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IntersectionalityThe junction of two roads as a metaphor for analyzing multiple forms of discrimination
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Hit a roadblockEncountering barriers to finishing a project
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Put someone in the driving seatGrant control or autonomy to someone
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On a road to nowhereSomeone is taking action that is self-defeating or won't accomplish anything
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Revved upExcited/high energy, ready to go, sometimes with sexual connotations. From engine "rev" revolution
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When the rubber hits the roadWhen things comes to fruition
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Something is visible only in the rear view mirrorAn event or outcome was not predicted and became apparent after the fact
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Firing on all cylindersFunctioning at peak excellence or capacity
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Taking the road less traveledDoing an independent, potentially unpopular or more difficult thing
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Step on it/Put your pedal to the metalPlease speed up. From pressing your foot on the accelerator pedal
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CadillacExpensive version of anything
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Dead endAnalogy for futility or failure
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Hit a speed bumpEncountering an obstacle that slows but doesn't stop desired progress.
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Drove it into the groundContinued to push an idea or effort to the point of failure
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Put the pedal to the metalPlease speed up; alternatively, make urgent extra efforts as a deadline approaches
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Road mapUsed in all kinds of business or organizational planning exercises
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X drives it homeX succeeds at making a point or argument
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Give me one for the road.A request for a final something (food, drink, kiss, etc) before leaving.
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Switch gearsChange topic
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They have a lead footThey drive too fast
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Make a U-ey (pronounced yoo-eee)Turn around
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Ride shotgunRide in the front in the non-driver's seat
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PitstopStopping along the side of the road, usually at a store, for food, libations, gas, or to use the restroom, but sometimes simply to rest
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Let's look under the hoodLooking at the engine to see what's wrong with the car, but can be used by doctors/dentists as a casual, friendly-intended statement before examing a part of the patient's body
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CoastingLetting the car run, usually downhill, without the engine on; extended metaphorically to mean doing something without putting much effort in, often relying on past reputation
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To be dooredWhen a driver opens their dorr w/o looking resulting in a cyclist running into their door
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to be reared endedTo have someone hit you from behind; this can be a car hitting your car, a shopping cart hitting your shopping cart, basically any vehicle hitting your vehicle, or someone simply walking into you
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to give someone a flat treTo step on the heel of someone's shoe, causing their shoe to partially come off
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