Word: Backseat Driver
Definition:
A "backseat driver" is a person who gives advice or instructions about how someone else should do something, especially when that advice is not wanted. This term comes from the idea of someone sitting in the back seat of a car and telling the driver how to drive, even though they are not in control.
Usage Instructions:
You can use "backseat driver" when talking about someone who tries to control or give unsolicited advice in any situation, not just driving. It's often used in a light-hearted or slightly annoyed way.
Example Sentence:
- "Whenever I cook, my sister is such a backseat driver, telling me how to chop the vegetables even though I know how to do it."
Advanced Usage:
In advanced contexts, "backseat driver" can refer to someone who interferes in the decision-making process in a workplace or group setting, not just in driving.
Example Sentence in Advanced Context:
- "During the team project, John was a backseat driver, constantly suggesting changes to our plan, even though he wasn't responsible for the project."
Word Variants:
- There are no direct variants of "backseat driver," but you can use related phrases like "armchair quarterback," which means someone who gives advice about a situation they are not directly involved in, often in sports.
Different Meaning:
While "backseat driver" primarily refers to someone who gives unwanted advice, it can also describe someone who tries to control others' actions without being in charge themselves.
Synonyms:
- Meddler - Interferer - Nosy person - Adviser (when the advice is unwanted)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "backseat driver," but you might hear phrases like "stay in your lane," which means to focus on your own responsibilities and not interfere in others' affairs.
Summary:
A "backseat driver" is someone who gives unwanted advice, particularly when they are not the one in charge.