English Reference
Idiom idiom

Sunday driver


One who drives slowly or inexpertly, as for leisure or sightseeing.

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


SIMPLE

Move faster, you are driving like a Sunday driver.

A Sunday driver blocks the narrow street while looking for a parking spot.

CONTEXTUAL

I was late for my appointment because I got stuck behind a Sunday driver on the highway.

My grandfather is a total Sunday driver who spends more time looking at the trees than watching the road ahead of him.

You should avoid the coastal road during the holidays because every Sunday driver in the city goes there to enjoy the view.

COMPLEX

The impatient commuters honked their horns, frustrated by the leisurely pace of the Sunday driver who seemed entirely oblivious to the growing queue of vehicles behind him.


From Sunday and driver, first appearing in the early 20th century to describe the habit of using the motor car for leisure on one’s day of rest. The term identifies a specific class of motorist whose primary experience behind the wheel occurred on a Sunday, typically resulting in a pace and level of competence that other road users found inconvenient.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    any given Sunday

    On a particular day, an unpredictable outcome can occur.

  2. 02

    from here to Sunday

    Everywhere; all over the place.

  3. 03

    month of Sundays

    A very long time; a period regarded as too long.

  4. 04

    never in a month of Sundays

    At no time whatsoever.

  5. 05

    six ways to Sunday

    Thoroughly, completely, in every way imaginable.

  6. 06

    Sunday best

    A person's finest clothing, especially the clothes one reserves to wear to church on Sunday.

  7. 07

    when two Sundays come together

    never

  8. 08

    when two Sundays meet

    never

Last updated August 10, 2026