Idioms

cruise

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(it's) time to cruise

It is time to leave. Time to cruise, Tom. We don't want to miss our flight. Once people started getting so drunk that they were falling over themselves, I knew that it was about time to cruise. I have to be up early tomorrow, so it's time to cruise.
See also: cruise, time, to

be cruising for a bruising

slang To be acting in a way that is likely to result in punishment or harm. Often shortened colloquially as "cruisin' for a bruisin'." Oh, you're going to be cruising for a bruising if you keep talking to me like that! Did you hear the way he insulted the boss during our meeting? He's really cruising for a bruising, don't you think? Dude, you're crusin' for a brusin'—that girl you're flirting with is dating the captain of the football team!
See also: bruise, cruise, for

be on cruise control

1. Literally, of a motor vehicle, to operate while "cruise control" is active. Cruise control is a system that allows the vehicle to maintain a particular speed without the driver having to depress the gas pedal. I love highway driving because I can just relax and listen to some good tunes while the car is on cruise control. 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 be on cruise control.
2. By extension, to be proceeding in some activity or endeavor with minimal effort. A: "I'm a senior, Mom. I'm on cruise control from now till college." B: "Nope. Colleges still track your grades even after they've accepted you, so they'll know if your grades drop." The team was 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.
See also: control, cruise, on

cruise around in (something)

To travel in a particular vehicle, often casually or aimlessly. When I was a teenager, my friends and I would just cruise around in my car on a Friday night and listen to music. Wait, you had to cruise around in Grandmom's minivan when you were my age? Mom, that's so embarrassing! That car is so tiny, I definitely wouldn't take it on the highway. I wouldn't feel safe even just cruising around in it!
See also: around, cruise

cruise by

1. To overtake or pass someone or something with ease. In this usage, "cruise by" is typically followed by a noun or pronoun. We've lost so many games lately that two other teams have cruised by us in the standings. Because our sales team could never agree on a specific goal, the other team cruised past us this quarter. This team might be lower in the standings, but they're a group of wily veterans—we know we won't just be able to cruise by them.
2. To pass or happen quickly or rapidly. Now that graduation is approaching, it feels like four years of college just cruised by. When your kids are little, the days are long, but the years just cruise by. Vacations always cruise by. I wish the same thing happened with work days!
3. To visit someone for a short period of time, often with no advance notice. I didn't get to talk to Heather for very long because she just cruised by on her way to work. Hey! Since I was already in the neighborhood, I thought I'd cruise by and get your pan back to you. He was cruising by and just stopped to say hi.
See also: by, cruise

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.
See also: control, cruise

cruise through (something)

1. To travel quickly through some thing or place. Cruising through the city at night is one of my favorite things to do. Let's just cruise through town and see if we run into any of our classmates. Unfortunately, we only cruised through Philadelphia, so we didn't see the Liberty Bell or any other historical sites.
2. To do or achieve something with ease. I only cruised through the exam because I studied so hard in the days leading up to it. He was in such better condition than his competitors that he cruised through the race. I have both an EU and US passport, so I always cruise through customs no matter which direction I'm traveling.
3. To read something in a short amount of time. Here's your book back—I cruised through it in one day. I was sick all weekend, so I cruised through three books in the series. A: "If she 'cruised through' the section on redox reactions, I guarantee she didn't really understand it." B: "Well, let's see what happens if the Chem teacher calls on her today."
See also: cruise, through

cruising for a bruising

slang Acting in a way that is likely to result in punishment or harm. Often shortened colloquially as "cruisin' for a bruisin'." Oh, you're cruising for a bruising if you keep talking to me like that! Did you hear the way he insulted the boss during our meeting? He's really cruisin' for a bruisin'. Dude, you're crusin' for a brusin'—that girl you're flirting with is dating the captain of the football team!
See also: bruise, cruise, for

on cruise control

1. Literally, of a motor vehicle, operating while "cruise control" is active. Cruise control is a system that allows the vehicle to maintain a particular speed without the driver having to depress the gas pedal. I love highway driving because I can just put the car on cruise control while I relax and listen to some good tunes.
2. By extension, proceeding in some activity or endeavor with minimal effort. A: "I'm a senior, Mom. I'm on cruise control from now till college." B: "Nope. Colleges still track your grades even after they've accepted you, so they'll know if your grades drop." The team went on cruise control after going ahead 7–0 in the first period of the game.
See also: control, cruise, on

shakedown cruise

1. A voyage of a ship undertaken to test the craft's seaworthiness before embarking upon a proper excursion. After extensive repairs, the USS Novak is being prepped for its shakedown cruise ahead of its reintegration into the fleet. I'm afraid we can't allow the ship to set sail until it has completed a shakedown cruise.
2. By extension, an activity that serves as a test or trial for how something will work on a larger scale or under more serious or rigorous conditions. The off-season game against the Wild Cats will serve as something of a shakedown cruise for the team under its new coach. The company will begin allowing 25% of its workers to telecommute, a shakedown cruise of sorts that will allow them to reduce office rental costs and hire employees from around the country.
See also: cruise, shakedown
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

cruise around in something

to drive or ride around in something. Would you like to cruise around in a car like that? They really liked cruising around in the motorboat.
See also: around, cruise

cruising for a bruising

 and cruisin' for a bruisin'
Sl. asking for trouble. You are cruising for a bruising, you know that? Who's cruisin' for a bruisin'?
See also: bruise, cruise, for
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

cruising for a bruising

heading or looking for trouble. informal, chiefly North American
1998 Times The problem…is the unrealistic value of the Hong Kong dollar…it has been cruising for a bruising for most of last year.
See also: bruise, cruise, for
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

cruise by

v.
1. To pass quickly, as of a moving object or an interval of time: The vacation cruised by, and when I returned to work, it seemed as though I had never left.
2. To pass someone or something quickly and easily: The second-place car cruised by the leader on the final lap.
3. To visit briefly, often unexpectedly: My friend cruised by for a cup of coffee. I cruised by the office to pick up my briefcase.
See also: by, cruise

cruise through

v.
1. To move rapidly through something or some place: The motorcycle cruised through the tunnel.
2. To accomplish or proceed with something swiftly or energetically: We cruised through the project and went home early.
3. To read something quickly and easily: I cruised through the chapter because I was already familiar with the subject.
See also: cruise, through
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cruise

1. in. to travel at top speed. This old caddy can really cruise.
2. in. to drive around looking for friends or social activity. We went out cruising but didn’t see anybody.
3. tv. to pursue a member of the opposite sex. Tom was cruising Tiffany, but she got rid of him.
4. in. to move on; to leave. Time to cruise. Monty Python’s on in ten minutes.
5. in. to move through life at a comfortable pace. I’m cruising just the way I want now.
6. tv. to pass a course easily. I’m gonna cruise that math course.

cruising for a bruising

and cruisin’ for a bruisin’
in. asking for trouble. You are cruising for a bruising, you know that?
See also: bruise, cruise, for

time to cruise

n. Time to leave. Time to cruise. We’re gone.
See also: cruise, time, to
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
See also:
References in periodicals archive
Developing Dubai's cruise industry to its maximum potential falls in line with the Dubai Silk Road strategy prepared by the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation in collaboration with key government entities.
Due to high demand, it is also working towards providing improved berthing services for private yacht owners looking to make Dubai a home for their vessels and position the terminal as one of the world's premier cruise tourism hubs.
Zen Cruises is the exclusive ticket sales agent on behalf of Jailesh Cruises.
Moreover, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has included in its itineraries visits to and from Limassol while Marella Cruises (TUI) has announced 13 new routes from Limassol for the 2019/2020 winter season, beginning in November.
Authorities are concerned about the lack of wharves in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City in particular for cruise ships, which have to dock at cargo piers that serve cargo ships.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community.
"This facility enables Dubai to comfortably handle complete passenger turnaround of six cruise ships simultaneously and helps to strengthen Dubai's place as a leading cruise hub of the region."
So they have appointed an international consultant and they have given a roadmap for the whole country on how to develop cruise tourism.
The Dubai Cruise Committee is a strategic network of leading industry partners; Dubai Tourism, DP World UAE Region FZE, Emirates Airline, The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs -- Dubai, and Dubai Customs.
manages and operates, registered the biggest number of cruise ships docked at the ports, with four - SuperStar Virgo of Star Cruises, Costa Atlantica of Costa Cruises, Amsterdam of Holland America Lines, and Silver Shadow of Silversea Cruises.
Behind Princess and Viking came Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Celebrity Cruises, Hurtigruten, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean International and MSC Cruises rounding out the top ten.
A BID to increase cruise ships' visits to North Wales will see new "experiences" created and "immersion" videos made to sell the area.
ANGLESEY is to lead on a two-year project to increase North Wales' popularity as a cruise ship destination.
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