Beat the Traffic
To beat the traffic means to leave and be on the road driving before rush hour begins so that one can arrive at one’s destination before traffic becomes heavy and slow-moving; to leave earlier than other people so that the roads are not crowded with vehicles.
Sentence Examples
“We always leave early for the beach so we can beat the traffic.”
“Let’s leave now so we can beat the traffic. Then maybe we can have some dinner before the show.”
“I’m sorry, guys. I gotta run.” “You’re not staying for the vote?” “I really gotta beat traffic. I can’t be late for orientation.” — Bring It On (2000)
“Oh, Brandon, would you mind giving her a ride home?” “No, no problem. If we go now, we can beat the traffic.” — Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990)
“I have to get up at 5:30 every morning, so I can beat rush-hour traffic and go sit behind a desk for eight hours and miss Oprah every day of my vacation.” — Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (1991)
“Orson left just two minutes ago. He took an ambulance to beat the traffic. Well, according to Orson there’s no law in the books that says you have to be sick to take an ambulance.” — Me and Orson Welles (2009)