designated driver
16
3.4
- noun
- /ˈdɛzɪɡneɪtɪd ˈdraɪvər/
:
conductor designado
- To ensure a safe night, he took on the role of the designated driver and abstained from alcohol.
- using a designated driver
And in fact, I've heard not just a designated driver, but a designated partner or a sober, a sober sitter.
- And in fact, I've heard not just a designated driver, but a designated partner or a sober, a sober sitter.
Examples
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She's the designated driver, so...
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I recommend you be the designated driver.
Fiction book (1999) -
James, buddy, would you mind being the designated driver?
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I am always the designated driver.
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"I was the designated driver because I could tell no one else wanted to be.
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No, no, thanks, I'm the designated driver.
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I'm always the designated driver.
Fiction book (1997) -
True, but hopefully one person from each group is the designated driver.
Blog text (4) -
I'm the designated driver.
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But as a Swedish friend told me, there's always a designated driver who doesn't touch a drop.
Blog text (18)
How Responsible
16
3.4
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase transparently combines 'designate' (to assign or choose) with 'driver' (a person who drives), so learners will readily infer it means a driver who has been chosen for a role. However, the conventional implication that this person specifically abstains from drinking to ensure others get home safely is a culturally specific/pragmatic extension not fully predictable from the parts alone, so the expression is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Designated driver comes from the simple idea of choosing someone to be the driver for the group. The designated driver is the person who does not drink so they can drive others home safely, so the phrase means 'a person chosen to stay sober and drive friends home'.