25 Idioms About a Journey

Have you ever taken a long trip — maybe a road trip with friends or a flight to a new country? Every journey has its ups and downs. Sometimes you get lost. Sometimes you make unforgettable memories. And along the way, you might hear people use colorful expressions to talk about the experience. These expressions are called idioms.

Idioms are phrases that don’t always mean exactly what the words say. They have a special meaning that native speakers understand. In this article, we’ll focus on idioms related to a journey — both physical and metaphorical ones.

You’ll discover 25 useful idioms with examples, and then you can test your knowledge with a fill-in-the-blank exercise and a multiple-choice quiz. Whether you’re planning your next trip or thinking about your life path, these idioms will help you speak English more fluently and expressively.

25 Idioms About a Journey

1. Hit the road Meaning: To begin a journey.

• Example 1: Let’s hit the road early to avoid traffic.
• Example 2: We packed the car and hit the road at sunrise.
• Other Ways to Say It: Start the trip, set out

2. Travel light Meaning: To bring very few belongings.

• Example 1: I like to travel light with just one backpack.
• Example 2: She always travels light, even on long trips.
• Other Ways to Say It: Pack minimally, carry less

3. Off the beaten path Meaning: A place that is not commonly visited.

• Example 1: We found a small village off the beaten path.
• Example 2: He prefers to travel off the beaten path for real adventure.
• Other Ways to Say It: Remote, hidden gem

4. A bump in the road Meaning: A small problem or obstacle.

• Example 1: Losing our luggage was just a bump in the road.
• Example 2: Every journey has a few bumps in the road.
• Other Ways to Say It: Minor issue, hiccup

5. Going places Meaning: Likely to be successful or make progress.

• Example 1: She’s smart and motivated — she’s definitely going places.
• Example 2: That young athlete is going places fast.
• Other Ways to Say It: On the rise, bound for success

6. In the driver’s seat Meaning: In control of a situation.

• Example 1: With the new promotion, he’s finally in the driver’s seat.
• Example 2: She’s in the driver’s seat when it comes to planning the trip.
• Other Ways to Say It: In charge, calling the shots

7. At a crossroads Meaning: Facing a major decision.

• Example 1: After college, I was at a crossroads in life.
• Example 2: They’re at a crossroads in their relationship.
• Other Ways to Say It: Decision point, turning point

8. Go the extra mile Meaning: To make extra effort.

• Example 1: He always goes the extra mile for his clients.
• Example 2: The hotel staff went the extra mile to make us feel welcome.
• Other Ways to Say It: Go above and beyond, work harder

9. Road to nowhere Meaning: A path with no progress or success.

• Example 1: That project felt like a road to nowhere.
• Example 2: I left that job — it was a road to nowhere.
• Other Ways to Say It: Going in circles, dead end

10. Take a detour Meaning: To take an indirect or different path.

• Example 1: We had to take a detour because of the traffic jam.
• Example 2: His career took a detour into marketing.
• Other Ways to Say It: Change course, shift direction

11. Step by step Meaning: Gradually, in small stages.

• Example 1: We’re building our business step by step.
• Example 2: Learn the language step by step — no rush.
• Other Ways to Say It: Bit by bit, slowly but surely

12. A long haul Meaning: A difficult or time-consuming task.

• Example 1: Writing the book was a long haul, but worth it.
• Example 2: Recovering from surgery was a long haul.
• Other Ways to Say It: Tough journey, long process

13. Going off track Meaning: Losing focus or direction.

• Example 1: The conversation went off track quickly.
• Example 2: We went off track and got lost in the forest.
• Other Ways to Say It: Stray, lose direction

14. Back on track Meaning: Returning to the right path.

• Example 1: After a short break, we’re back on track.
• Example 2: I’m finally back on track with my diet.
• Other Ways to Say It: In order again, refocused

15. Light at the end of the tunnel Meaning: Sign of improvement after difficulty.

• Example 1: After months of stress, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
• Example 2: The project was tough, but now there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
• Other Ways to Say It: Relief in sight, almost done

16. Take the high road Meaning: To act with integrity or kindness, especially in conflict.

• Example 1: Instead of arguing, she took the high road.
• Example 2: He took the high road and forgave his rival.
• Other Ways to Say It: Be the better person, show grace

17. Journey of self-discovery Meaning: A personal process of learning about yourself.

• Example 1: Traveling alone was a journey of self-discovery.
• Example 2: Therapy helped me begin a journey of self-discovery.
• Other Ways to Say It: Personal growth, self-exploration

18. Down the road Meaning: In the future.

• Example 1: We’ll worry about that down the road.
• Example 2: Big changes are coming down the road.
• Other Ways to Say It: Later on, in time

19. Life is a journey Meaning: Life is full of experiences and learning.

• Example 1: He reminds us that life is a journey, not a race.
• Example 2: Life is a journey with many lessons.
• Other Ways to Say It: Life is a path, enjoy the process

20. Make your way Meaning: To move forward or progress.

• Example 1: She made her way to the top of the company.
• Example 2: We made our way through the forest trail.
• Other Ways to Say It: Move along, proceed

21. A roadblock Meaning: An obstacle or barrier.

• Example 1: Financial issues were a major roadblock.
• Example 2: She faced roadblocks but didn’t give up.
• Other Ways to Say It: Obstacle, hurdle

22. Smooth sailing Meaning: Easy and without problems.

• Example 1: After the first week, it was smooth sailing.
• Example 2: Our vacation was smooth sailing all the way.
• Other Ways to Say It: Easygoing, no problems

23. Hit a dead end Meaning: Come to a stop or obstacle with no way forward.

• Example 1: Our search for the house hit a dead end.
• Example 2: I hit a dead end with my research.
• Other Ways to Say It: No way out, stuck

24. On the right track Meaning: Doing things correctly or moving in the right direction.

• Example 1: With the new strategy, we’re on the right track.
• Example 2: She’s on the right track to recovery.
• Other Ways to Say It: Going well, heading in the right direction

25. Pave the way Meaning: Make something easier for others to follow.

• Example 1: Her work paved the way for future scientists.
• Example 2: The discovery paved the way for new treatment.
• Other Ways to Say It: Prepare the path, lead forward

Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom:

1. After a long illness, he’s finally ____________.
2. We need to leave early so we can ____________ before sunset.
3. I always pack light when I travel; I prefer to ____________.
4. She decided to ____________ and not fight back.
5. The team hit ____________ when the funding stopped.
6. His advice really ____________ for our success.
7. I’m at a point in life where I’m ____________ and need to choose wisely.

Answer Key:

1. back on track
2. hit the road
3. travel light
4. take the high road
5. a dead end
6. paved the way
7. at a crossroads

Exercise 2 – Multiple Choice Quiz

1. What does “hit the road” mean?

A. Sleep at night

B. Start a journey

C. Stop traveling

D. Get in trouble

2. When someone is “at a crossroads,” they are:

A. Traveling with others

B. Facing a big decision

C. Lost in traffic

D. Starting a job

3. “Pave the way” means:

A. Clean the road

B. Get rid of old habits

C. Make it easier for others

D. Delay something

4. What does “travel light” mean?

A. Travel during the day

B. Pack very little

C. Take a short trip

D. Move quickly

5. “Smooth sailing” refers to:

A. Fast travel

B. Easy progress

C. Heavy rain

D. A ship trip

6. If something “hits a dead end,” it means:

A. It’s exciting

B. There’s no way forward

C. It’s successful

D. It just started

7. “Light at the end of the tunnel” means:

A. Darkness is near

B. An ending is scary

C. Things are improving

D. Go to sleep

Answers:

1. B
2. B
3. C
4. B
5. B
6. B
7. C

7 Tips to Remember Idioms About a Journey

1. Create a travel-themed notebook just for journey-related idioms.
2. Associate idioms with real trips you’ve taken or want to take.
3. Draw a visual map connecting idioms like “detour,” “roadblock,” and “on track.”
4. Watch travel documentaries and note any idioms used.
5. Write a travel story using 5–10 idioms from this list.
6. Use flashcards and include a small drawing or icon for each idiom.
7. Practice with a friend: take turns creating short journey stories using the idioms.

Conclusion

Learning idioms related to a journey helps you understand more natural English and express yourself more clearly. From hitting the road to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, these phrases describe not just travel but also life’s challenges and successes.

Try using 2–3 of these idioms today — in writing or conversation. You’re definitely on the right track to mastering English idioms!