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  #1  
Old 20-Jun-2008, 17:26
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Default back on track

Hello
I just come across this expression. I checked out its meaning in Cambridge dictionary but didn't finf it.
"get back on track"!!
Please explain it for me and give me some examples if possible.
Thanks a lot in advance.
  #2  
Old 20-Jun-2008, 17:55
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Default Re: back on track

Here's a great idiom site:

Idioms: on time -- on your side

on track in the right direction, on the rails After a few problems, our project is back on track.
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Old 20-Jun-2008, 17:56
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Default Re: back on track

Picture a train - it's on the tracks, going to its destination. Then something happens. It's no longer going to the right place. If you "get it back on track" you help ensure the train goes where it is supposed to.

You use this when someone had gone wrong and you need people to get things going in the right direction again. I could be an entire project or even a discussion that has gone off on a tangent, and the meeting leader says "Okay, let's get back on track here. Does anyone have a suggestion about how to..." and returns to the primary reason for the meeting.
  #4  
Old 20-Jun-2008, 18:37
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Default Re: back on track

Something(e.g. work, relationship, task) had been negatively affected , but now it's normal.

Origin:

Navigation.
The planned course is called the track.

Literal use:

The pilot checked his compass, the storm had blown the small aircraft off course, but they were now back on track

Idiom:

The fog has cleared at the airport, scheduled services will soon be back on track.

After her mother died her life was a mess, now she is back on track.

Hopefully, the middle East peace process will soon be back on track.

If I don't get back on track with my studies, I will surely fail my exams.

Her mother has moved out, her relationship with her husband is back on track.

I have someone helping me at work, things will soon be back on track.


As a native English speaker I use this far more often in the "back on track" form, than the "get back on track" form.

Last edited by Methuselah; 20-Jun-2008 at 20:59.
  #5  
Old 20-Jun-2008, 19:57
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Default Re: back on track

Thanks a lot everyone.
I'm very very happy. All your explanations make sense to me.
Now it's very easy to use it.
Thanks again and again for your endless help and support.
  #6  
Old 27-Jun-2008, 02:53
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Default Re: back on track

some expression dealing with diversion:

side-tracked - detracted, distracted, interrupted, have a diversion.
We got a little side-tracked there, but we're back on track now.
Sorry, I digressed there a little, but I'll get this talk back on track.
Sometimes you have to take one step back to move two steps forward.
I've lost my train of thought. Where was I?
The project had a few hiccups, but we're right back on course now.
We have our shit together now. No more wondering off the beaten path.
We were victims of some diversions but we are committed to stay the course.
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Old 03-Jul-2009, 00:18
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Arrow Re: back on track

Quote:
Originally Posted by JessicaJones View Post
some expression dealing with diversion:
...together now. No more wondering off the beaten path...
Typo : wondering should be wandering

I am happy to have wandered onto this wonderful site!
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