go along for the ride

go along for the ride

To attend some event or participate in some activity without playing an active or central role in the proceedings. John's receiving an award for his work overseas tonight, so I thought I'd go along for the ride. I'm going along for the ride to my friends' book club meeting later to see if I want to become a member.
See also: go, ride
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

go along for the ride

or

come along for the ride

If someone goes along for the ride or comes along for the ride, they join in an activity but do not do it seriously or get very involved. John was on a job taking pictures of a band and I had agreed to go along for the ride. `Who's that with you?' — `A friend of mine. He came along for the ride.'
See also: go, ride
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

be/go along for the ˈride

(informal) join a group of people because you are interested in what they are doing, although you do not want to take an active part in it: Some of the group are not really interested in politics — they’re just along for the ride.
See also: go, ride
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

along for the ride, to go/to come/just

To take part but passively. The phrase, originating in the United States in the mid-twentieth century, implies some of the acquiescence of go along with but makes it clear that one is not in the driver’s seat.
See also: come, go, just
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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References in periodicals archive ?
But, yes, if you don't want to go along for the ride, then it's a problem.
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I want him to do stuff that I wasn't expecting him to do and just go along for the ride. For me, that's why I go to the movies, you know?"
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The reader gets to go along for the ride and experience 'first-hand' the ups and downs, the failures and victories, and the fears and joys of both the employees and management.
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That means if you plan to spend the day with him doing one of the activities listed above, plan that activity out to the last detail so he only has to go along for the ride.
Thanks, Dad: 5 special things you can do for your father this season
That means if you plan to spend the day with him doing one of the activities listed above, plan that activity out to the last detail so he only has to go along for the ride. And if you're not planning to do such an excursion, your dad will appreciate your help with a job on his to-do list.
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"I love and respect them and support what they're doing and want to be a part of that change and want to go along for the ride, but I should get in the back seat and close my mouth for a while," he said.
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You can guess who begs to go along for the ride again.
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Ahead of his big audition for tournament selection, against France at Twickenham on Saturday, Saracens' full-back-cum-fly-half laid bare his ambitions, crushing any suggestion he would be content simply to go along for the ride.
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It's the start of an epic 7,000 mile adventure and we're happy to go along for the ride.
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If the club does spend big in the summer, that would be a surprise, then everyone will want to go along for the ride. But the appointment of someone who has never managed before plus no major signings will test the most loyal of supporter.
Newcastle United feedback: Your emails, letters and messages about the club; John Carver isn't good enough, Alan Pardew is, the derby will be lost and there will be no great chance at Newcastle United
We have to go along for the ride and tolerate everything thats thrown at us.
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From bleak cityscapes to underwater adventures, you''ll never know where Dennis will take you next - but you''ll be willing to go along for the ride. RATING: 3/5
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From bleak cityscapes to underwater adventures, you''ll never know where Dennis will take you next - b- but you'll be willing to go along for the ride. RATING: 3/5 From bleak cityscapes to underwater adventures, you''ll never know where Dennis will take you next - b- but you'll be willing to go along for the ride.
games
Frog loves to go along for the ride and when he does, he sends emails to Al or to the human who remains behind.
The Book of Frog
And while it's all systems go, will clients go along for the ride?
Comedy Central dismantles its digital wall
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