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Roads and terms related to these, have given rise to idioms used to describe situations and relationships. Someone’s paths cross: two people meet by chance. I have met him for the first time today and I dislike him already. I hope our paths never cross again. Off the beaten track: a lonely, isolated place. Since the old fort on the outskirts of the city is a bit off the beaten track, not many people visit it. Stuck in the rut: in a boring situation, with no hope of excitement or future prospects. I feel as if I am stuck in a rut in this job. I think I should look for something else. Drive someone round the bend: make someone very angry, especially by continuing to do something annoying. My mother drives me round the bend with her never-ending reminders to clean my room. Right up someone’s alley/street: the kind of thing someone knows about or likes to do. I think you should apply for this job, it is right up your alley. On the right track: doing something in a way that will bring good results. The latest evidence in the murder case shows that the police is on the right track. (On the wrong track is used to convey the opposite meaning.) Uphill battle/task: something that is very difficult. Getting my son to finish his homework on time is an uphill task. Go downhill: gradually become worse. He is a promising young man but ever since he has started drinking, he has been going downhill. Dead end: a situation in which no progress can be made. The doctors have reached a dead end in their attempts to find a cure for AIDS. Put someone/something on the map: make someone or something famous. The Taj Mahal has put Agra on the map for all times to come. (Reference: Cambridge
International Dictionary of Idioms) |
