behind the wheel
idiomatic phrase
: in the act of driving
I was nervous my first time behind the wheel.
He urged drivers to stop and rest if they feel tired behind the wheel.—
Yaron Steinbuch
Yaron Steinbuch… will start enforcing a requirement for commercial truck drivers travelling between provinces to track their hours behind the wheel …—Karina Zapata
Karina ZapataExamples of behind the wheel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
More surprisingly, its star behind the wheel, Lewis Hamilton, is presently eighth in the standings.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 22 June 2024
Lopez was already dead behind the wheel when police arrived.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 18 June 2024
Three people privy to knowledge about decisions made by Fetterman’s staff also spoke on condition of anonymity to the Post, and claimed the senator had been on FaceTime and texted while behind the wheel.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 14 June 2024
Investigators believe Ocasio Justiniano was behind the wheel of the Acura.
—Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for behind the wheel 
Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 22 June 2024
Lopez was already dead behind the wheel when police arrived.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 18 June 2024
Three people privy to knowledge about decisions made by Fetterman’s staff also spoke on condition of anonymity to the Post, and claimed the senator had been on FaceTime and texted while behind the wheel.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 14 June 2024
Investigators believe Ocasio Justiniano was behind the wheel of the Acura.
—Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for behind the wheel
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'behind the wheel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near behind the wheel
Cite this Entry
“Behind the wheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind%20the%20wheel. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share