stuck in traffic

Meaning

This phrase describes being trapped in a vehicle due to heavy congestion on the road, making it impossible to move forward or arrive on time. It is frequently used to explain why you are running late.

Examples

• I'm sorry I'm late; I got stuck in traffic on the freeway.

  I'm sorry I'm late; I got stuck in traffic on the freeway.

• We were stuck in traffic for over two hours because of an accident.

  We were stuck in traffic for over two hours because of an accident.

• If you leave after 8:00 AM, you will definitely get stuck in traffic.

  If you leave after 8:00 AM, you will definitely get stuck in traffic.

• I hate being stuck in traffic when I have an important meeting.

  I hate being stuck in traffic when I have an important meeting.

• They are still stuck in traffic, so let's start the dinner without them.

  They are still stuck in traffic, so let's start the dinner without them.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am blocked in the traffic.

  ✓ I am stuck in traffic.

  While 'blocked' makes literal sense, native speakers almost exclusively use the idiom 'stuck in traffic'. Also, 'traffic' is uncountable and usually does not take the article 'the' in this phrase.

• ✗ We got stuck on traffic.

  ✓ We got stuck in traffic.

  Use the preposition 'in' to describe being surrounded by traffic, not 'on'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We might be late because we are ___ on the bridge.

  💡 Unable to move because of too many cars.

  Show answer

  stuck in traffic

• I always listen to podcasts when I get ___.

  💡 Trapped in a road delay.

  Show answer

  stuck in traffic