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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Lane isn't moving

On the freeway one says:
We're in the only lane that's not moving.
Is this natural she trying to say the lane is backed up.

Thank you
  

Top answer

Both ‘the lane is not moving’ and ‘traffic is backed up’ are idioms. “The lane” does not refer to the paved highway but to the vehicles on it. “Backed up” does not refer to what vehicles are behind you but to the ones in front of you.

— Wilpeter

  • Both ‘the lane is not moving’ and ‘traffic is backed up’ are idioms.
  • “The lane” does not refer to the paved highway but to the vehicles on it.
  • “Backed up” does not refer to what vehicles are behind you but to the ones in front of you.
  • The impression that you are going backwards is caused by vehicles to your right and left moving forward while you are not.
  • So, "yes" they mean much the same.
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1 Answers
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Both ‘the lane is not moving’ and ‘traffic is backed up’ are idioms.
“The lane” does not refer to the paved highway but to the vehicles on it.
“Backed up” does not refer to what vehicles are behind you but to the ones in front of you.
The impression that you are going backwards is caused by vehicles to your right and left moving forward while you are not.
So, "yes" they mean much
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