track

be off the beaten track (British, American & Australian, American)

if a place is off the beaten track, not many people go there. Unfortunately, because the gallery's a bit off the beaten track, it doesn't get many visitors.

See also: beaten

be on the right track

to be doing something in a way that will bring good results. Our success in the opinion polls proves we're on the right track.

See also: right

be on the wrong track

to be doing something in a way that will cause you to fail. I think the government's on the wrong track with this latest policy.

See also: wrong

cover your tracks

to hide or destroy the things that show where you have been or what you have been doing. Roberts covered his tracks by throwing the knife in the river and burying his wife's body.

See also: cover

a fast track

a very quick way of achieving something or dealing with something. Management training offers a fast track to the top of the company. (often + to) The government has announced that the reforms will be put on the fast track. (= dealt with very quickly)

See also: fast

fast-track

a fast track - a very quick way of achieving something or dealing with something. We are introducing a fast-track procedure for dealing with applications. (always before noun)

have a one-track mind

if someone has a one-track mind, they seem to talk and think about one particular subject all the time, especially sex. 'I bet I know what you two were doing last night.' 'Oh, shut up, Sean, you've got a one-track mind.' You've got to have a one-track mind if you want to succeed in business.

See also: mind

have the inside track (mainly American)

to have a special position within an organization or a special relationship with a person that gives you advantages that other people do not have. He thinks I have the inside track with the director so he keeps hassling me for information. (often + with)

See also: inside

keep track

to continue to know what is happening to something or someone. I don't know what he's doing now, he's had so many different jobs that it's difficult to keep track. I've never been very good at keeping track of what I spend my money on. (often + of)

See also: keep

lose track

to no longer know what is happening to something or someone. I can't remember what her husband's called, she's been married so many times I've lost track. We were chatting away and we just lost track of time. (= did not know what the time was)

See also: lose

make tracks (informal)

to leave a place in order to go somewhere. Jean, it's getting late - we'd better be making tracks.

on track

if an activity or a situation is on track, it is making progress and is likely to achieve something. A fighter from Edinburgh is on track to become the world heavyweight boxing champion. (often + to do something) If the peace talks remain on track, an agreement can be expected by the end of the month.

the other/wrong side of the tracks (American & Australian)

the poor area of a town. She grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in a small southern town.

See also: other, side, wrong

put someone on the right track

be on the right track - to be doing something in a way that will bring good results. When things went wrong I had a chat with Phil and he put me back on the right track.

See also: right

put/get someone/something back on track

on track - if an activity or a situation is on track, it is making progress and is likely to achieve something. Victory in New Hampshire put the President's failing election campaign back on track.

See also: back

stop (someone) in their tracks

if something stops someone in their tracks, or if they stop in their tracks, they suddenly stop what they are doing because they are so surprised. A loud scream stopped me dead in my tracks. He opened the door and stopped in his tracks. A complete stranger was sitting in his office.

See also: stop

a track record

all of the past achievements or failures of a person or organization. We like to recruit managers with a strong track record. They have a strong track record in rescuing ailing companies. (often + in)

See also: record

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cover your tracks

to hide or destroy anything that shows where you have been or what you have been doing. Roberts covered his tracks by throwing the knife in the river and burying his wife's body miles from his home.

See also: cover

have the inside track

to have an advantage in a competitive situation. Of the three advisors, Maddie may have the inside track because her personality fits perfectly with the president's. In this year's election, we've got the inside track, and the horse on the inside track is me.

Etymology: based on the inside curve of the track for horse races, which is not as long as the outer part and gives an advantage to the horse running in that position

See also: inside

keep track (of someone/something)

to continue to be informed or know about someone or something. I've never been very good at keeping track of how I spend my money. You've moved so many times, how can I possibly keep track? He's had so many different jobs that it's difficult to keep track.

lose track (of someone/something)

See also: keep

lose track (of someone/something)

to no longer be informed or know about something or someone. I've lost track of most of my college friends.

keep track (of someone/something)

See also: lose

off the beaten track

not known or popular with many people. Her tastes in reading tend to be off the beaten track.

See also: beaten

on the fast track

advancing quickly and certainly. The principal made sure these kids got on a fast track toward graduation and college.

life in the fast lane

in the fast lane

Etymology: based on a fast track in horse racing (= a dry, smooth surface that is easy to run on)

See also: fast

on the right track

doing something correctly or well. I think he is going to help us work together and get us back on the right track for the final weeks of the baseball season. Tax cuts for the rich will not put the economy on the right track.

See also: right

on the wrong track

not correct about something. If you suspect my son was involved, you are on the wrong track.

See also: wrong

on track

developing or making progress as expected. His recovery from the accident is right on track and he should be back at work in about three weeks. He's on track to become the world heavyweight boxing champion.

Usage notes: often used in the form back on track: We're behind schedule on this job, so we need to get back on track right after the holidays.

stop (dead) in your tracks

to suddenly stop moving or doing something. When I heard the loud scream, I stopped dead in my tracks.

Usage notes: often used in the forms stop someone (dead) in their tracks or stop something (dead) in its tracks: The memo was supposed to stop the protest in its tracks.

stop short

See also: stop

track down someone/something

to find someone or something after searching for them. I'm trying to track down one of my old classmates from college. My library assistant tracked down several references for me My mother wanted to find the family who had taken care of my father during the war, and somehow she was able to track them down.

See also: down

the wrong side of the tracks

the poor area of a city or town. She was brought up on the wrong side of the tracks in a small southern town.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the forms the wrong side of town or the wrong side of the street: Her family was clearly from the wrong side of town.

Etymology: based on the idea that a poor area is often divided from the rest of a town by railroad tracks

See also: side, wrong