Phrasal verb
coast along
Definition
phrasal verb. to do something with very little effort because you are talented or because things are currently easy for you.
phrasal verb. to make progress or succeed without exerting significant effort, often due to past momentum or natural ability; frequently carries a negative connotation of complacency.
Examples
“He is just coasting along until he retires next year.”
“After getting an early lead in the project, the team started to coast along instead of finishing strong.”
“The company cannot afford to coast along on its previous reputation while competitors are innovating at such a rapid pace.”
Examples
simple
“He is just coasting along until he retires next year.”
contextual
“After getting an early lead in the project, the team started to coast along instead of finishing strong.”
complex
“The company cannot afford to coast along on its previous reputation while competitors are innovating at such a rapid pace.”
Usage
often used to describe students, employees, or athletes who are not working to their full potential.
Teaching tip
connect this to the literal meaning of a car or bike moving without the engine or pedals; it helps students visualize the lack of active effort.
Pitfall
She is coasting along her exams.
She is coasting through her exams.
while 'coast along' describes a general state of low effort, 'coast through' is used when mentioning a specific challenge or task.
Phrasal verb
Particles
along
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
coast + along
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/coast-along