stay on track
/steɪ ɑːn træk/
Meaning
This expression means to continue progressing as planned, expected, or scheduled without getting distracted or delayed. It is frequently used by students and teachers to discuss managing time, meeting deadlines, and following a syllabus. The tone is encouraging, focused, and organized.
Examples
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If you want to finish your dissertation by June, you need to stay on track with your weekly writing goals.
If you want to finish your dissertation by June, you need to stay on track with your weekly writing goals.
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Our study group helps me stay on track because we hold each other accountable.
Our study group helps me stay on track because we hold each other accountable.
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It is easy to lose focus during online classes, so I use a planner to stay on track.
It is easy to lose focus during online classes, so I use a planner to stay on track.
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The professor created a detailed syllabus to help the students stay on track throughout the semester.
The professor created a detailed syllabus to help the students stay on track throughout the semester.
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Despite taking a week off for illness, she managed to stay on track and submit her assignment on time.
Despite taking a week off for illness, she managed to stay on track and submit her assignment on time.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I need to stay on the track with my homework.
✓ I need to stay on track with my homework.
The idiom is 'stay on track' without the definite article 'the'. Adding 'the' makes it sound like you are physically standing on a running track.
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✗ We must stay in track to finish the project.
✓ We must stay on track to finish the project.
The correct preposition for this idiom is 'on', not 'in'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Using a daily planner is a great way to ___ during the busy exam season.
💡 To keep progressing according to plan.
Show answer
stay on track
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We have a lot of material to cover today, so let's try to ___.
💡 Avoid getting distracted or falling behind.
Show answer
stay on track