Phrase guide

behind the wheel

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

In control of a vehicle; driving.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • If you've had too much to drink, don't get behind the wheel.
  • Would you really want to be behind the wheel of a fighter jet?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: at the wheel

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

In control of the situation; in charge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: in the driver's seat

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

24 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: خَلْفَ الْمِقْوَد (ḵalfa l-miqwad) — in control of a vehicle
  • Belarusian: за рулём (za ruljóm) — in control of a vehicle
  • Bulgarian: зад волана (zad volana) — in control of a vehicle
  • Chinese Mandarin: 方向盤後面 /方向盘后面 (fāngxiàngpán hòumiàn) — in control of a vehicle
  • Dutch: aan het stuur — in control of a vehicle
  • Dutch: achter het stuur — in control of a vehicle
  • Finnish: ratissa — in control of a vehicle
  • French: au volant — in control of a vehicle
  • German: hinterm Steuerrad — in control of a vehicle
  • German: hinterm Steuer — in control of a vehicle
  • German: hinterm Lenkrad — in control of a vehicle
  • German: am Steuerrad — in control of a vehicle
  • German: am Steuer — in control of a vehicle
  • German: am Lenkrad — in control of a vehicle
  • Greek: στο τιμόνι (sto timóni) — in control of a vehicle
  • Italian: al volante — in control of a vehicle
  • Japanese: 運転して (unten shite) — in control of a vehicle
  • Korean: 운전하면서 (unjeonhamyeonseo) — in control of a vehicle
  • Polish: za kółkiem — in control of a vehicle
  • Portuguese: no volante — in control of a vehicle
  • Russian: за рулём (za ruljóm) — in control of a vehicle
  • Swedish: bakom ratten — in control of a vehicle
  • Swedish: vid ratten — in control of a vehicle
  • Ukrainian: за кермо́м (za kermóm) — in control of a vehicle