cruise control

1. A feature on a vehicle that allows it to maintain a particular speed without the driver having to depress the gas pedal. I love cruise control. Once I get out on the highway, I can just blast some good jams and chill out. The car's been on cruise control all this time? Wow, I had no idea. I hate when there's gnarly traffic like this because then I can't just go on cruise control.

2. By extension, the maintaining of something with little conscious effort. A: "I'm a senior, Mom. It's cruise control from now until college." B: "Nope. Colleges still track your grades even after they've accepted you." The team went on cruise control after going ahead 7–0 in the first period of the game. This is no time to be on cruise control—we need to keep users continually engaged with the brand.