at the wheel

IPA/at ðə wˈiːl/
IPA/æt ðə wˈiːl/

at the wheel — idiom

1. used to describe a person who is driving a vehicle, sitting in the driver's seat

1.慣用語B2
釋義

used to describe a person who is driving a vehicle, sitting in the driver's seat and controlling the direction and speed of the car, truck, or other road vehicle.

例句

My father was at the wheel when a deer suddenly ran across the highway.

idiom: be at the wheel = driving a vehicle

Ravindra fell asleep at the wheel after driving for twelve hours without a break.

collocation: fall asleep at the wheel

同義詞
  • behind the wheel

    identical in meaning; 'at the wheel' is slightly more idiomatic for driving contexts

文法句型

be at the wheel

stay at the wheel

fall asleep at the wheel

用法筆記

Often used in the warning phrase 'fall asleep at the wheel', which describes a dangerous situation where a driver falls asleep while the vehicle is moving. The phrase can also be used figuratively to mean 'being in control of a situation' (e.g., "She is at the wheel of the new marketing campaign").

常見錯誤

❌He was at the wheel car.
✅He was at the wheel of the car.
💡when specifying the vehicle, use the preposition 'of' after 'at the wheel'.