# burn rubber

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/burn-rubber
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To accelerate so rapidly from standstill that it leaves a mark of burnt rubber on the road from the tire.

## Examples

- He had to burn rubber to make the green light.
- The driver had to burn rubber to merge safely into the fast-moving highway traffic.
- Realizing the train was departing, she burned rubber to reach the station before the doors closed.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.