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
… will start enforcing a requirement for commercial truck drivers travelling between provinces to track their hours behind the wheelKarina Zapata

Examples of behind the wheel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meanwhile, Staten's search for the truth about his son Randall's death culminates in the revelation that Sheriff Dan Brigman's wife Margaret was behind the wheel during the fatal accident — not town outcast Kit, who was initially blamed. Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025 Kosinski has said Pitt himself hit over 180 mph behind the wheel. Jack Smart, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025 According to police, Morgan was behind the wheel and Samuels was in the passenger seat. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025 Such language can create a false sense of security, leading users to overestimate the vehicle’s capabilities and underestimate their own responsibilities behind the wheel. Nicole Kobie, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for behind the wheel

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of behind the wheel was in 1906

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Cite this Entry

“Behind the wheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind%20the%20wheel. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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