get stuck in traffic — to become unable to move because of heavy traffic congestion
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to become unable to move because of heavy traffic congestion
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɡet stʌk ɪn ˈtræfɪk/
Example Sentences
- My pizza delivery got stuck in traffic, so I ate the cardboard box while waiting.
- She always gets stuck in traffic when she's already running late.
- We got stuck in traffic for two hours and played 20 questions about why we didn't take the subway.
get stuck in traffic
VERB[/ɡet stʌk ɪn ˈtræfɪk/]
to become unable to move because of heavy traffic congestion
to become unable to move because of heavy traffic congestion
When stuck in traffic, try some magic!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrase combines three etymologically distinct elements: 'get' derives from Old Norse 'geta' (to obtain or become), 'stuck' from Old English 'stician' (to pierce or be fixed), and 'traffic' from French 'trafique' (trade or commerce). The word 'traffic' originally referred to commercial transactions but evolved to describe the movement of people and vehicles; when combined with 'stuck,' it acquired its modern sense of being immobilized in congested vehicular flow.
Breakdown
get (Old Norse geta: to obtain/become) + stuck (Old English stician: to be fixed/pierced) + in (preposition: within) + traffic (French trafique: movement/congestion of vehicles, from earlier sense of commerce).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My pizza delivery got stuck in traffic, so I ate the cardboard box while waiting.”
“She always gets stuck in traffic when she's already running late.”
“We got stuck in traffic for two hours and played 20 questions about why we didn't take the subway.”
“If you leave during rush hour, you'll definitely get stuck in traffic.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.