pike

come down the pike

To materialize; to happen or become prominent. "Pike" is short for "turnpike"—a main thoroughfare. You should take this job offer—who knows when another will come down the pike? That pitcher is the first young star to come down the pike for the team in many years. If you don't do your homework now, expect problems to come down the pike before the exam.

See also: come, down, pike

down the pike

In the future. If you don't do your homework now, it'll be a problem down the pike when you don't know the material for the exam. I do want to get married, but down the pike, not any time soon. You should take this job offer—who knows when another will come down the pike?

See also: down, pike

what is coming down the pike

What is going to materialize, happen, or become prominent. "Pike" is short for "turnpike"—a main thoroughfare. You should take this job offer—no one knows what is coming down the pike, and a paying job is always a good thing to have. Sorry, my friend, you're out of luck. If I could tell you what's coming down the pike, I'd quit my job and become a fortune-teller.

See also: coming, down, pike, what

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

come down the pike

Appear, become prominent, as in He was the best writer to come down the pike in a long time. The noun pike here is short for "turnpike" or "road." [Slang; mid-1900s]

See also: come, down, pike

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

come down the pike

AMERICAN

If something comes down the pike, it starts to happen or to become available. There may be some new treatments coming down the pike. They have threatened to block any legislation that comes down the pike, like family leave or a civil rights bill. Note: The reference here is to someone travelling along a turnpike (= road you have to pay to use).

See also: come, down, pike

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

come down the pike

appear on the scene; come to notice. North American

In this expression, a pike is short for ‘turnpike’, the American term for a motorway on which a toll is charged.

1983 Ed McClanahan The Natural Man He was, in a word, the most accomplished personage who'd yet come down the pike in all the days of Harry's ladhood.

See also: come, down, pike

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

come down the ˈpike

(American English, informal) happen; become noticeable: We’re hearing a lot about new inventions coming down the pike.

Pike here is short for ‘turnpike’, which is a type of large road in the US.

See also: come, down, pike

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

come down the pike

Slang

To come into prominence: "a policy ... allowing for little flexibility if an important new singer comes down the pike" (Christian Science Monitor).

See also: come, down, pike

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.