backseat driver

Meaning

A passenger in a vehicle who constantly gives unwanted advice, directions, or criticism to the driver. Metaphorically, it refers to anyone who tries to control or criticize a situation without having the responsibility for it.

Examples

• I hate driving with my brother because he is such an annoying backseat driver.

  I hate driving with my brother because he is such an annoying backseat driver.

• Stop telling me when to brake; I don't need a backseat driver!

  Stop telling me when to brake; I don't need a backseat driver!

• My mother-in-law is a terrible backseat driver, always gasping whenever I turn a corner.

  My mother-in-law is a terrible backseat driver, always gasping whenever I turn a corner.

• She tried to be a backseat driver during the project planning, even though she wasn't on the team.

  She tried to be a backseat driver during the project planning, even though she wasn't on the team.

• He sat quietly in the front passenger seat, trying hard not to act like a backseat driver.

  He sat quietly in the front passenger seat, trying hard not to act like a backseat driver.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ My dad is a back driver.

  ✓ My dad is a backseat driver.

  The full idiomatic term is 'backseat driver,' referring to sitting in the back seat of a car.

• ✗ Please don't do backseat driving to me.

  ✓ Please don't be a backseat driver.

  'Backseat driving' is a behavior, but you don't 'do' it to someone. You 'are' or 'act as' a backseat driver.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I would appreciate it if you stopped telling me how to park; I don't need a ___.

  💡 passenger giving unwanted driving advice

  Show answer

  backseat driver

• My husband is a total ___—he constantly warns me about speed limits.

  💡 critical passenger

  Show answer

  backseat driver