joy-ride
Definition
Noun:
- A stolen vehicle ride for pleasure: "joy-ride" refers to an unauthorized and often reckless drive in a stolen vehicle, typically a car, taken for fun or excitement.
Verb (also "joyride", intransitive):
- To take a stolen vehicle for a pleasure ride: To drive a vehicle without the owner's permission, often in a reckless or carefree manner.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The teenagers were arrested after a joy-ride in a stolen sports car. (An unauthorized drive for fun.)
- A joy-ride can lead to serious legal consequences. (The act of driving a stolen vehicle.)
Verb:
- They were caught joy-riding in a neighbour's truck. (Driving without permission for pleasure.)
- He used to joy-ride through the streets at night. (Engage in unauthorized driving.)
Advanced Usage
"to go on a joy-ride": to take a vehicle for an unauthorized pleasure trip.
- The group decided to go on a joy-ride after stealing the keys. (They drove the car illegally for fun.)
"joy-riding" (gerund): the activity of taking vehicles for unauthorized drives.
- Joy-riding is considered a criminal offence in many countries. (The act is illegal.)
Variants and Related Words
Joyrider (n): a person who takes part in a joy-ride.
- The joyrider was caught speeding in a stolen van. (Someone who drives stolen vehicles for fun.)
Joyriding (n): the activity of taking vehicles without permission for pleasure.
- Joyriding often involves reckless driving and property damage. (The illegal activity.)
Synonyms
- Stolen vehicle escapade: an adventure involving a stolen car.
- Unauthorized drive: driving a vehicle without consent.
- Reckless spin: a careless and fast drive for enjoyment.
Phrasal Verbs
- Joy-ride off: to drive away in a stolen vehicle.
- They joy-rode off before the owner could stop them. (They drove away illegally.)
Related Idioms
- Take for a spin: to drive a vehicle for a short, enjoyable trip (though not necessarily stolen).
- Let's take this car for a spin around the block. (Drive it briefly for fun.)