serve as the driving force (behind someone or something)

serve as the driving force (behind someone or something)

To act as the instigator, catalyst, or motivator that compels someone to do something or causes something to happen. While they haven't admitted why they reversed their decision, everyone knows the lawsuit served as the driving factor. The willingness of the banks to let anyone and everyone get a mortgage, whether or not they would be able to meet their repayments, served as the single biggest driving factor behind the financial crisis. My family has always served as the driving factor behind me.

See also: driving, force, serve, someone

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

serve as the driving force

(behind someone or something) Go to the driving force (behind someone or something).

See also: driving, force, serve

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.