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Glite Dictionary
between the ditches

between the ditches

9.5
To stay within safe limits, especially when driving
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : dentro de los límites
  • When driving through the countryside, it's important to stay between the ditches to avoid accidents.

Examples

  • "I'll keep you in mind." "Keep between the ditches, son," he says, winking.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • You know, like when you're driving on a road, you have to keep between the ditches.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • The coach told his players to always keep between the ditches on the field to stay safe during practice.

  • While navigating through the busy streets, the driver focused on staying between the ditches to prevent any mishaps.

Synonyms

to keep it between the ditches
vsbetween the ditches
  • Informal
9.9

To stay within safe limits and avoid getting into trouble

is the same meaning but used as a general description rather than a command

Antonyms

reckless
193 3.6

Acting without care about danger or the results

out of hand
  • Informal
176 4.8

A situation that is not under control and hard to manage

Surface Forms

between the ditches positive

Morphology

between + the + ditch

The phrase evokes the literal image of remaining in the safe space 'between' two 'ditches,' so an intermediate-level learner who knows the words can likely infer a basic meaning of staying in the middle/within bounds. However, the extension to a more general idiomatic sense of 'staying within acceptable limits' (beyond the physical driving context) is metaphorical and may not be fully predictable without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Between the ditches may come from driving on narrow country roads with deep ditches on each side. To stay 'between the ditches' you must keep the car on the safe path, so the phrase now means 'staying within safe or acceptable limits'.