traveling salesman
9
4.4
- noun
- /ˈtrævəlɪŋ ˈseɪlzˌmæn/
- US
:
vendedor viajante
- My uncle worked as a traveling salesman, visiting various cities to sell his products.
- her father was a traveling salesman
- job as a traveling salesman
The fact that he's a travelling salesman is clear, just from anyone can see that that's what he is.
- The fact that he's a travelling salesman is clear, just from anyone can see that that's what he is.
Examples
-
My grandfather was a traveling salesman.
Fiction book (1996) -
You are one of our best traveling salesmen.
-
Oh, your dad was a traveling salesman, huh?
-
This was purchased from a travelling salesman.
-
So is he a traveling salesman?
-
I'm one of the last of your traveling salesmen.
-
One can't expect a traveling salesman to stay put.
-
A traveling salesman from Omaha tried to strike up a conversation with her.
Fiction book (1991) -
He is a traveling salesman.
Fiction book (1996) -
He was a traveling salesman who became the world's first media titan.
Synonyms
259
1.0
A person who sells things in shops or to customers
19
3.5
A person who sells a company's products or services to customers
8
5.7
A person who travels to sell small goods in streets or markets
7
9.9
A person who travels to villages selling small goods
7
2.7
A person who contacts customers to sell a company's products and services
4
7.4
A person who sells goods in the street or at markets
2
3.8
A person who sells books by visiting homes or towns
1
4.4
A person who travels to sell goods or take orders
1
8.6
A traveling seller who visits shops with samples to sell
A person who travels to sell goods to customers
A person who travels with a box to sell goods
A person who travels to sell small goods like ribbons or buttons
How Mobile
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a salesperson who visits customers in different locations' is directly and transparently composed from 'traveling' (journeying) + 'salesman' (a person who sells). This participial modifier pattern is common in English (and mirrors comparable constructions in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Traveling salesman comes from the simple image of a salesman who is traveling, moving from town to town with samples or goods to sell, often visiting shops and homes. That's why it means 'a salesperson who visits customers in different places'.