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Idioms: be on the road



 
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ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
verb tense: 'I could've grabbed it if you hadn't pulled me off' | meaning of 'eligible'
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Idioms: be on the road #1 (permalink) Fri Mar 30, 2007 5:08 am   Idioms: be on the road
 

Hello,

Can we say "I'd be on the road next week" even if we are travelling on plane?

Many thanks in advance,
Nina
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Idioms: be on the road #2 (permalink) Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:58 am   Idioms: be on the road
 

I feel 'the road' could refer to a theoretical road/way and not necessarily to a physical one, Nina. But I feel at the same time that if you say "I'd be on the road next week" no matter what transportation you take, you give people an impression that you are going to travel as a salesperson or on a show business trip with some theatrical company next week. Just my two cents, though. :)
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Idioms: be on the road #3 (permalink) Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:49 am   Idioms: be on the road
 

Hi,

Haihao is spot on in his explanation. The other expression that comes to mind and has been absorbed into English speech is the French expression en route (for) indicating that you are travelling about and does not refer to any particular type of transport.

Alan
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Idioms: be on the road #4 (permalink) Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:36 pm   Idioms: be on the road
 

Alan and Haihao,

Thanks for the clear explanation! Now I am more confident in using it.

Nina

p.s. Haihao,I just arrived in Tokyo. Now we are nearer!
NinaZara
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Idioms: be on the road #5 (permalink) Fri Mar 30, 2007 13:23 pm   Idioms: be on the road
 

I am glad you came to Tokyo, Nina. Just FYI, a new commercial center called 'Tokyo Midtown' just opened today in Roppongi. Maybe worth taking a look at it for you ladies.
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Idioms: be on the road #6 (permalink) Fri Mar 30, 2007 13:54 pm   Idioms: be on the road
 

Really?I'll be out for cherry blossom viewing (hanami) tomorrow, and will be reporting to a training centre on Sunday. But will definitely check it later!Thanks!

Nina

p.s. Is "cherry blossom viewing" the correct expression for hanami?
NinaZara
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Idioms: be on the road #7 (permalink) Fri Mar 30, 2007 23:39 pm   Idioms: be on the road
 

I think it's perfect, Nina, and here are some other references for hanami:

Quote:
cherry-blossom viewing
go to see the cherry blossoms (at)
(a group of) cherry-blossom viewers
sake drunk under the cherry blossoms
the cherry-blossom season

New College Japanese-English Dictionary, 4th edition (C) Kenkyusha Ltd. 1933,1995,1998


And I think it would be the best timing now (today and tomorrow) for hanami this year.
BTW, I have heard the Midtown is near Roppongi Hills. Ever been to there? It'd be also worth a check for ladies. :)
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Idioms: be on the road #8 (permalink) Sat Mar 31, 2007 16:18 pm   Idioms: be on the road
 

Yes, a couple of times. Lively place, many foreigners.
NinaZara
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Idioms: be on the road #9 (permalink) Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:48 am   Idioms: be on the road
 

Hi NinaZara,

I need to give an explanation of the expression 'spot on' that I used above:

Quote:
Haihao is spot on in his explanation
. It wasn't helped by the fact that I also made a typing mistake which I have now corrected. To get to the explanation: 'spot on' means totally/completely accurate or correct. If for example someone asks you: How much do you think I paid for my car? and you answer with the exact price, the other person could say: Quite right, you're spot on.

Hope this helps.

A
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Idioms: be on the road #10 (permalink) Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:08 am   Idioms: be on the road
 

Alan,

Everything is very clear now. I'll make sure I use it whenever I can in future. Thank you very much.

Nina
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