drive under the influence — to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs
Pronunciation (IPA): /draɪv ˈʌndər ði ˈɪnfluəns/
Example Sentences
- The celebrity's career ended after being caught driving under the influence in a pink limousine.
- Police officers can detect drivers under the influence through field sobriety tests.
- He thought he could avoid getting caught by driving really slowly under the influence, but ended up blocking traffic for hours.
drive under the influence
NOUN[/draɪv ˈʌndər ði ˈɪnfluəns/]
to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs
He chose to drive under the influence and crashed into a streetlight that night.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This legal phrase developed from Latin 'influentia', derived from 'influere' (to flow in). The term metaphorically describes how alcohol or drugs flow into and impair judgment, creating a legal framework for assessing impaired driving.
Breakdown
in- (into) + fluere (to flow) + -ence (state or condition), literally describing the state of substances flowing into and affecting cognitive function.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The celebrity's career ended after being caught driving under the influence in a pink limousine.”
“Police officers can detect drivers under the influence through field sobriety tests.”
“He thought he could avoid getting caught by driving really slowly under the influence, but ended up blocking traffic for hours.”
“The new law imposes stricter penalties for driving under the influence.”
📚Related Words
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