off the beaten track
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective phrase: - Remote from populous or much-traveled regions; secluded, isolated. This phrase describes a place that is far away from areas with many people or common tourist routes, emphasizing its lack of crowds and mainstream attention.
Usage
This phrase is used to describe locations, destinations, or paths. - It is typically used predictively (after a linking verb like be or seem) or attributively (before a noun). - It suggests a positive quality of being unspoiled, authentic, or peaceful due to its remoteness.
Examples
- Predictive use:
- The village we stayed in was completely off the beaten track.
- If you want to avoid tourists, you need to go somewhere off the beaten track.
- Attributive use (often hyphenated):
- They discovered an off-the-beaten-track café with amazing local food.
- The guidebook specializes in off-the-beaten-track destinations.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can be used metaphorically to describe ideas, career paths, or activities that are unconventional or not mainstream.
- Her research takes an off-the-beaten-track approach to the problem.
- He has always pursued an off-the-beaten-track career in niche film restoration.
Variants and Related Words
- Off the beaten path: A common variant with identical meaning.
- We love to hike off the beaten path.
- Out-of-the-way: A more formal synonym meaning remote or secluded.
- Remote: Distant, far from populated areas.
- Secluded: Sheltered and private; kept apart from others.
Synonyms
- Remote
- Secluded
- Out-of-the-way
- Isolated
- Unfrequented
Related Idioms
- The road less traveled: This idiom, from a famous poem, conveys a similar idea of choosing a unique, unconventional, or less popular path in life, not just geographically.
- She has always chosen the road less traveled in her artistic pursuits.
Adjective
- remote from populous or much-traveled regions
- they found a quiet out-of-the-way resort