English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Backseat driver
Meaning
The idiom "backseat driver" refers to a person who is not the one driving but gives directions or advice, often unwanted or overly critical. It suggests someone who is passive and not taking an active role in the decision-making process.
Usage
- Sarah was initially quiet during the meeting, but she became a backseat driver once she saw an opportunity to speak up.
- I hate it when my parents become backseat drivers and try to tell me how to run my life.
- As the passenger, John couldn't resist giving directions to his friend who was driving.
- The boss was a backseat driver and always wanted to know every detail of the project.
- My colleague is often a backseat driver in meetings, but he has great ideas that contribute to our success. The usage of "backseat driver" can vary depending on the context. It can be used in a positive or negative way, depending on the situation and the person's intentions. For example, someone who is a backseat driver in a business setting may be seen as a valuable contributor to the team, while someone who is a backseat driver in a personal relationship may be viewed as interfering or controlling.
Roots and History
The idiom "backseat driver" dates back to at least the 1960s, with early known uses appearing in literature and journalism. One of the earliest recorded uses is found in a 1962 article in Good Housekeeping, which used the phrase "back-seat driving" to describe someone who was too passive or submissive. The idiom has since become a common expression used to describe someone who is not in charge but wants to exert control over others.
Synonyms in English
- Passenger seat driver
- Shadow driver
- Rear-seat passenger
- Second-in-command
- Co-pilot
Synonyms in other languages
- Italian: "Il passeggero che dice troppo" (The passenger who says too much)
- Spanish: "El pasajero que habla demasiado" (The passenger who talks too much)
- French: "Le passager qui dit trop" (The passenger who talks too much)
- German: "Der Fahrgast, der zu viel sagt" (The passenger who says too much)
- Chinese: "后座驾驶" (Backseat driver)