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back roads
→ secondary roads; little-used roads
Example: Don't take the highway during rush hour. Take the back roads instead.
(to) break something to someone
→ to tell someone bad news
Example: I'm sorry to break it to you, but we're not going to get to the airport in time for your flight.
bumper-to-bumper traffic
→ heavy traffic; so much traffic that one is barely moving
Example: The drive into the city took us twice as long as usual due to bumper-to-bumper traffic.
close call
→ a near miss; something that was almost an accident
Example: A truck entered our lane without signaling, and we had a close call.
fender bender
→ a small crash between two vehicles
Example: Last night I had a fender bender in the parking garage, so today I'm taking my car to the repair shop.
NOTE: fenders are the panels above the front wheels of a car
(to) get pulled over
→ to get stopped by the police
Example: Natasha got pulled over for going through a stop sign.
Hop in!
→ Get in the car!
Example: You need a ride to school? Hop in!
(to) keep the change
→ to keep the difference between the charge and the money a customer is giving
Example: The bill at the restaurant came to $17. We gave the waitress a twenty and told her to keep the change.
rotten luck
→ bad luck
Example: I can't believe I've got a flat tire. I've had nothing but rotten luck all day today.
rubber necking
→ when cars slow down to look at an accident
Example: A truck was lying on its side on the highway, and traffic was backed up for miles due to rubber necking.
(to) step on it
→ to go faster (refers to stepping on the gas pedal)
Example: There's a creepy man following close behind us. Let's step on it and get away from him!
traffic is heavy
→ there are lot of cars on the road, so the driving is slow
Example: Traffic was heavy on Route 9 this morning due to an accident.
up ahead
→ in front of (someone); in the near distance
Example: I see an ambulance up ahead. There must've been an accident.
Where are you headed?
→ Where are you going?
Example: "Where are you headed?" - "I'm going to the mall."
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