English Reference
Idiom idiom

rush hour


The times of the day when traffic jams are commonplace, due mainly to people commuting to or from work.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

I avoid driving during rush hour.

CONTEXTUAL

The train was packed because I left the office right in the middle of rush hour.

COMPLEX

Commuters often endure significant delays when they attempt to navigate the city center during the peak of rush hour.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    adrenaline rush

    An event or activity which causes such a state.

  2. 02

    amateur hour

    A situation or activity in which the participants show a lack of skill, sound judgment, or professionalism.

  3. 03

    bum rush

    A storming into an establishment.

  4. 04

    bum's rush

    The forcible ejection of someone, such as a bum or a hobo, from an establishment.

  5. 05

    finest hour

    A point in time or a relatively brief period of time when an especially distinguished, admirable, or effective set of actions is performed.

  6. 06

    long hour

    Any of the late hours of the day, especially those nearing midnight, or the hours after sunset.

  7. 07

    rush in

    To act quickly and without due thought

  8. 08

    top of the hour

    The time at (or very close to) the start of the next hour of time.

Last updated August 10, 2026