on track
on track — idiom
1. moving forward as planned and likely to reach a goal or to succeed at something
moving forward as planned and likely to reach a goal or to succeed at something
After months of training, Darius is on track to finish the marathon in under four hours.
be on track + to-infinitive for a goal
The building project stayed on track despite two weeks of heavy rain.
Élise checked the latest numbers and said the team was on track for a record year.
Vikram's recovery is on track, and his doctor expects him back at work next month.
Halfway through the term, most students are on track to pass the final exam.
- on course
very similar but more common in British English and in formal navigation or planning contexts
- on target
emphasises hitting a specific number or deadline rather than steady progress
- on schedule
focuses strictly on timing, not on the likelihood of overall success
- off track
direct opposite — no longer making expected progress
- behind schedule
specifically about being late rather than losing direction
文法句型
be on track + to-infinitive
be on track + for + noun
用法筆記
Often used with future-oriented phrases (to + infinitive, for + noun) that name the goal. The subject can be a person, a project, or a process.
常見錯誤
2. doing what is needed or expected at the current stage of a task or process
doing what is needed or expected at the current stage of a task or process
Yael's teacher told the class her reading level was on track for a child her age.
be on track + for + expected standard
The new software is on track and should be ready for testing by Monday.
Mayumi reviewed her spending and felt her savings were on track for the year.
After the site visit, the engineer told Otis that construction was on track.
The doctor said the baby's weight gain is on track at the six-month checkup.
- on pace
similar but more common in American English and often tied to measurable quantities
- on schedule
emphasises timing; 'on track' is broader and can cover quality or readiness too
- off track
not meeting expectations at the current stage
文法句型
be on track
be on track + for + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (MAKING PROGRESS): this sense focuses on meeting a current benchmark rather than aiming for a future outcome. Often used when someone checks or confirms that things are as expected.
3. located on a racing circuit during an event, or describing something that happen
located on a racing circuit during an event, or describing something that happens there
The Formula One cars rolled on track for the afternoon practice session.
literal sense: physically on a racing circuit
Ingrid cheered as the leading horse thundered on track toward the finish line.
Fans pressed against the fence, eager to see the cyclists on track before the race.
The announcer's voice echoed as the runners took their positions on track.
- on the track
the same meaning but with the definite article; 'on track' without 'the' is the more fixed idiomatic form
- trackside
refers to the area beside the track, not on it
文法句型
on track
用法筆記
This is the literal meaning, used only in the context of racing (cars, horses, bicycles, athletics). The figurative senses 1 and 2 are much more common in everyday English.