Burn Rubber (to)

Meaning of Idiom ‘Burn Rubber’

To burn rubber is to drive a vehicle very fast.

See also: Put the Pedal to the Metal

Examples Of Use

“Your appointment starts in fifteen minutes. You’d better burn rubber if you want to get there on time.”

“The youth was arrested today after burning rubber all over town — in stolen cars!”

“I burned rubber to get to the hospital in time to see my son being born.”

Origin

This idiom alludes to rubber tires spinning so quickly that a burnout occurs, in which the vehicle stays stationary but the tires spin on the pavement, causing friction which heats up the rubber and produces smoke. Since a driver who does a burnout can be expected to drive very fast, it is natural that the expression to burn rubber should be used to mean “putting the pedal to the metal.” As an idiom, it has been used since the mid-1900’s.

More Idioms Starting with B

• Bookworm
• Blow Off Steam
• Bury the Hatchet
• Bells and Whistles
• Behind Closed Doors

More Automotive Idioms

• Put the Pedal to the Metal
• Mile a Minute, a
• Tailgate, to
• Stop On A Dime

More Burn Idioms

• Money Burns a Hole in Your (or one’s) Pocket
• Have Money to Burn
• Burn the Midnight Oil

More Drive or Driving Idioms

• Put the Pedal to the Metal
• Tailgate, to
• Stop On A Dime
• Backseat Driver Meaning

More Rubber Idioms

• Rubber-Chicken Dinner
• Rubber Check

This page contains one or more affiliate links. See full affiliate disclosure.

YouTube and Facebook Group

• 
•