behind the wheel Thành ngữ, tục ngữa big wheela person with power, a big shot Bing has been acting like a big wheel since he got promoted.a fifth wheela useless object, an unnecessary device The team already had two guards, so I felt like a fifth wheel.as useless as a fifth wheelnot useful, not needed, redundant, (four wheels are sufficient) I sat there watching the four of them play bridge, and feeling as useless as a fifth wheel.Asleep at the wheelIf someone is asleep at the wheel, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities very carefully. 'Asleep at the switch' is an alternative.at the wheeldriving a car, steering a car or truck Who was at the wheel when the car went off the road?big cheese|big|big gun|big shot|big wheel|big wig|n., slang An important person; a leader; a high official; a person of high rank. Bill had been a big shot in high school. John wanted to be the big cheese in his club.Compare: WHOLE CHEESE. big gun/cheese/wheel/wigan important person, a leader The new director was a big wheel in his previous company but is not so important now.big wheel(See a big wheel)big wheel|big|wheeln., informal An influential or important person who has the power to do things and has connections in high places. Uncle Ferdinand is a big wheel in Washington; maybe he can help you with your problem.cog in the wheelcog in the wheelAlso, cog in the machine. One who holds a minor but necessary post in a large organization, as in Frank knew he was just a cog in the wheel of this giant corporation. This term alludes to the role of the mechanical cog, one of the teeth on a wheel or gear that, by engaging other teeth, transmits or receives motion. Used figuratively since about 1930, it sometimes is put as small cog in a large wheel, emphasizing a person's lack of importance. fifth wheel(See a fifth wheel)grease the wheelsgrease the wheelsAlso, oil the wheels. Make things run smoothly, as in You can count on Ben to grease the wheels so we'll be waited on promptly. This metaphoric expression transfers literal lubrication to figurative. [Mid-1600s] grease the wheels|grease|wheel|wheelsv. phr., informal To do something or act to make something go smoothly or happen in the way that is wanted. Mr. Davis asked a friend to grease the wheels so he could borrow money from the bank. William's father tried to grease the wheels for him to get a new job.hell on wheelshell on wheelsTough, aggressive, wild, or mean, as in Watch out for the boss—he's hell on wheels this week. This expression originated with the building of the Union Pacific Railroad in the 1860s, when it denoted the last town on the line, which was carried on freight cars as the track was extended. The town consisted mainly of tents occupied by construction gangs, liquor dealers, gamblers, and other camp followers known for their rough and often vicious ways. hell-on-wheelsa short-tempered, nagging or crabby person She is hell-on-wheels in the morning so you should be careful of her.hell-on-wheels|hell|wheel|wheelsn., slang A short-tempered, nagging, or crabby person especially one who makes another unhappy by constantly criticizing him even when he has done nothing wrong. Finnegan complains that his wife is hell on wheels; he is considering getting a divorce.invent the wheelinvent the wheelsee reinvent the wheel. put one's shoulder to the wheelIdiom(s): put one's shoulder to the wheelTheme: EFFORT to get busy. • You won't accomplish anything unless you put your shoulder to the wheel. • I put my shoulder to the wheel and finished the job quickly. put one's shoulder to the wheel|put|shoulder|wheelv. phr. To make a great effort yourself or with others; try hard; cooperate. The effort to get a new high school succeeded because everyone put his shoulder to the wheel. The company was failing in business until a new manager put his shoulder to the wheel.put your shoulder to the wheelbegin to work If you want a share of the profits, put your shoulder to the wheel.Reinvent the wheelIf someone reinvents the wheel, they waste their time doing something that has already been done by other people, when they could be doing something more worthwhile.set of wheelsvehicle, car, truck, wheels The Ford needs a lot of repairs. I need a new set of wheels.Set the wheels in motionWhen you set the wheels in motion, you get something started.shoulder to the wheel(See put your shoulder to the wheel)small cog in a large wheelsmall cog in a large wheelsee cog in the wheel. spin one's wheelsIdiom(s): spin one's wheelsTheme: WASTE - EFFORT to be in motion, but get nowhere. (Slang.) • This is a terrible job. I'm just spinning my wheels and not getting anywhere. • Get organized and try to accomplish something. Stop spinning your wheels! spin one's wheels|spin|wheel|wheelsv. phr. 1. Said of cars stuck in snow or mud whose wheels are turning without the car moving forward. There was so much snow on the driveway that my car's wheels were spinning in it and we couldn't get going. 2. To exert effort in a job without making any progress. I've been working for the firm for two decades, but I feel I am merely spinning my wheels.spin your wheelswaste effort, not progress If you don't have a career goal you'll just spin your wheels.Squeaky wheel gets the grease(USA) When people say that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, they mean that the person who complains or protests the loudest attracts attention and service.the squeaky wheel gets the greasethe person who complains loudest gets service Our clerks put up this sign: The squeaky wheel gets the grease!the wheels fall offit breaks, it fails, fall apart When the coach is away, our team loses. The wheels fall off!three-wheel motionride upon three wheels with a low rider car. You can see it in videos for "Ain't nuthin but a G thang" and Today was a good day" [1993]. One of the back corners of the car is really close to the ground and the opposite corner is picked up off the roaduseless as a fifth wheel(See as useless as a fifth wheel)wheelwheelIn addition to the idioms beginning with wheel, also see asleep at the switch; at the wheel; big cheese; cog in the wheel; fifth wheel; grease the wheels; hell on wheels; put one's shoulder to the wheel; reinvent the wheel; set in motion; spin one's wheels; squeaky wheel gets the grease. * * * - wheel and deal - wheels in motion - wheels within wheels wheel and dealIdiom(s): wheel and dealTheme: BARGAIN to take part in clever but sometimes dishonest or immoral business deals. (Fixed order.) • John loves to wheel and deal in the money markets. • Jack got tired of all the wheeling and dealing of big business and retired to run a pub in the country. wheel and deal|deal|wheelv. phr., slang To make many big plans or schemes; especially with important people in government and business; in matters of money and influence; handle money or power for your own advantage; plan important matters in a smart or skillful way and sometimes in a tricky, or not strictly honest way. Mr. Smith made a fortune by wheeling and dealing on the stock market. The senator got this law passed by wheeling and dealing in Congress.behind the wheel1. Driving a vehicle (and thus literally sitting behind the steering wheel). Don't worry, Katie's behind the wheel, and she hasn't been drinking tonight. I'm so excited to finally be behind the wheel of my own car!2. In charge. With Jim behind the wheel, I'm not sure this team will have the leadership it needs.Learn more: behind, wheelat/behind the ˈwheel (of something)driving a car: Who was at the wheel when the car crashed? Wheel in this phrase refers to the steering wheel of a car.Learn more: behind, wheel Show
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