Today we’ll learn some vocabulary related to traveling by car. Actually, we’re going to learn some verbs, and in particular phrasal verbs that are related to this topic.
This topic is covered in a much more comprehensive way in one of my articles in issue 1 (1/2022) of Your American English Magazine, so feel free to purchase it here. You’ll find much more interesting stuff there, I’m sure.
Also, if you want to learn more phrasal verbs in general, I wrote a book Learn Over 400 Phrasal Verbs the Fun Way, which you can grab here.
And now, let’s have a look at some phrasal verbs that you can use to talk about traveling by car. The phrasal verbs are highlighted in the text below and you will find the explanation of their meaning throughout the text.
Let’s Go
So, you’re going on a trip. You’re just about to leave…
If necessary, put your car in/into reverse and back out of the garage. Back up slowly on your driveway.
put in/into reverse – to shift into reverse gear
back out of – to leave a place moving backward
back up – to move backward
You must be careful when you’re leaving your driveway. Look both ways before pulling out into the traffic. You’re still moving slowly. You can now shift into second gear. If there aren’t too many cars on the road, you can step on the gas, or, in other words step on it. If you want to travel with someone who doesn’t live with you, don’t forget to pick them up or otherwise you will have to later turn around and go back.
pull out – to move a vehicle from or to a particular place
shift into – to change the gear you are using in a vehicle
step on the gas / step on it – to drive faster
pick up – to go somewhere in order to get and bring back
turn around – to cause a vehicle to travel in the opposite direction
go back – to return to a place
While driving, always be careful. There are so many things that could go wrong. For example you could turn off onto the wrong road. Or, which you usually can’t predict, the engine can suddenly cut off for some reason. You can also say the engine cuts out. Anyway, hopefully your car won’t break down.
turn off – to go in a direction that moves you away from a straight course or main road
cut off / cut out – to stop working suddenly
break down – to stop working
There are some rules you should obey. For example you are not allowed to speed up while someone is trying to pass you. Or, another rule, you should never cut other drivers off. This can be very dangerous.
speed up – to become faster or to make faster, to accelerate
cut sb off – to drive in front of (sb in another vehicle) in a sudden and dangerous way
Sometimes you may not know exactly where you are. If your GPS isn’t working, just pull over and look at the map. You can also say you’re pulling your car over to look at the map.
pull over – to move a vehicle to the side of the road and stop
Now, your journey is coming to an end. If there’s someone with you in the car, you may want to drop them off somewhere before reaching your destination. If your kids are with you in the car, for example, you may want to drop them off at school.
If you’re going to visit your friends, you can pull up in front of their house. In other words, you can pull your car up in front of their house. They will be glad you finally pulled in.
You’ve reached your destination. Get out of the car.
drop off – to take to a place and then leave
pull up – to stop a vehicle at a particular place
pull in – to arrive at a place and come to a stop
get out of – to leave
Naturally, there are more phrasal verbs related to traveling by car. In issue I (1/2022) of Your American English Magazine you’ll find phrasal verbs related to journey preparation and danger on the road as well.