map out a route

Meaning

To plan a journey or path in detail, either by drawing it on a map or by organizing the steps of a trip beforehand. While physical navigation is the primary context, it can also be used metaphorically to describe planning a career, project, or strategy step-by-step.

Examples

• We spent the entire evening mapping out a route for our upcoming cross-country road trip.

  We spent the entire evening mapping out a route for our upcoming cross-country road trip.

• The logistics team needs to map out a route that avoids heavy city traffic.

  The logistics team needs to map out a route that avoids heavy city traffic.

• It is much easier to travel when you map out a route well in advance.

  It is much easier to travel when you map out a route well in advance.

• They mapped out a scenic route through the Swiss Alps to enjoy the mountain views.

  They mapped out a scenic route through the Swiss Alps to enjoy the mountain views.

• Before we set off on our hike, let's map out a route that includes plenty of water stops.

  Before we set off on our hike, let's map out a route that includes plenty of water stops.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to map a route out.

  ✓ We need to map out a route.

  While 'map a route out' is grammatically possible, 'map out a route' is the much more natural and common phrasal verb collocation.

• ✗ They mapped out of a route for the marathon.

  ✓ They mapped out a route for the marathon.

  'Map out' is a transitive phrasal verb and takes a direct object without the preposition 'of'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• To save time during our vacation, we should ___ that covers all the main attractions.

  💡 Plan a detailed path.

  Show answer

  map out a route

• The delivery company had to ___ to ensure packages arrived on time.

  💡 Design a delivery path.

  Show answer

  map out a route