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.
Whoever takes this killer piece home better be able to handle himself behind the wheel of a Renault RS10. Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 15 May 2025 Responding officers found McGuff behind the wheel of his car, which was parked partially in his front yard, the outlets reported. Sean Neumann, People.com, 13 May 2025 But behind the wheel of his rented sedan, Sean Kennedy smiled. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025 However, many questioned the decision to put 31-time NASCAR Cup winner Larson behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet. Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 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 23 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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