stay in one's lane en · VERB
Etymology
Metaphoric, from the conventions for driving a motor vehicle.
Meanings
- (idiomatic, informal) To mind one's own business. ▸ In a way whereby one avoids dilettantism: avoiding giving an opinion in domains where one's skills and knowledge are not at an expert level.
- (idiomatic, informal) To mind one's own business. ▸ In a way whereby one avoids interfering in others' interests, regardless of skill level.
-
(idiomatic, informal) To keep to one's own kind; to avoid intermixing or associating with other types of people.
There are those who try to outlive their means while others just stay in their lane. Some of us are used to being broke, having less […]
2015, Daniel Steverson, The Blackening White, page 30:That's because this place is racist, but also because most black filmmakers don't have an interest in integrating. They've accepted the premise that they must stay in their lane […]
1999, Nelson George, Hip Hop America, page 84:
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see stay, in, one's, lane; for example, either manually or via lanekeeping by software.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| stays in one's lane | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| staying in one's lane | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| stayed in one's lane | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| stayed in one's lane | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Relateds
neoracism (avoiding intermixing)
Synonyms
know one's place · stick to one's knitting · know one's place · know one's place · stick to one's knitting
Translations (1)
it stare al proprio posto (keep to one's own kind)