Along the way?

Question

Mom's example of kindness has been remembered all my life, and I hope that along the way I've been living up to that example.

What does 'along the way' mean?

'live up to the example' in the sentence means he will live his life by following the his mother's example, right?

And 'along the way' seems to mean the same, following his mother's way.

So basically aren't they repeating the same thing?

Isn't it like Can you do that again? + Can you repeat that? = Can you repeat that again?

By the way does 'Can you repeat that again' sound native?

GPY · Accepted Answer

AppleFanboyWhat does 'along the way' mean?

During the course of the speaker's life.

Literally "way" = "road", so literally it means during the course of a journey, but here the "journey" is the speaker's life.

AppleFanboy'live up to the example' in the sentence means he will live his life by following the his mother's example, right?

"live up to (something)" is an idiomatic expression meaning to fulfil the expectations that something creates. The speaker hopes that he has shown the same sort of kindness that was exemplified by his mother.

AppleFanboySo basically aren't they repeating the same thing?

No.

AppleFanboyBy the way does 'Can you repeat that again' sound native?

In colloquial speech it would not be noticed as a glaring error. In more careful English it should be avoided, unless of course it is literally referring to a second or subsequent repetition.

Along the way?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions