Vehicle
Back seat driver
Meaning
Someone who criticizes from the side-lines without being directly involved.
Examples
She’s always ready to be a back seat driver and tell people what to do but she never does anything herself.
Where did it originate?
USA, 20th century.
Where is it used?
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City bike
Meaning
A bicycle designing especially for urban riding.
Examples
It’s more comfortable in a car but in London you get around much quicker on a city bike.
Where did it originate?
USA, mid-20th century.
Where is it used?
Predominantly used in urban areas in USA and UK.
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Fell off the back of a lorry
Meaning
A coy reference to an item that has been stolen.
Examples
That iPad I just bought in the pub was really cheap. Best not to ask me where it came from. Let’s just say it fell off the back of a lorry.
Where did it originate?
Britain, mid/late 20th century. The USA has a ‘fell off the back of a truck’ variant.
Where is it used?
Britain.
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In the same boat
Meaning
Jointly facing the same predicament.
Examples
The fog has grounded all the planes and no one is going anywhere. it’s annoying but I suppose were all in the same boat.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century.
Where is it used?
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Miss the boat
Meaning
Missed the chance to take an opportunity.
Examples
I should have asked him for that loan when he was in a good mood. Now he’s fed up because he’s lost at golf and I’ve missed the boat.
Where did it originate?
The origin of this expression is uncertain. An early 1930 reference describe it as an Americanism, but that reference is from England and there are no earlier known uses from the USA.
Where is it used?
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