Back on Track
My friend recently posted about an outdoor railway museum in Gunsan (Korea Travel Advice). I go to Gunsan at least a few times a year on bicycle, and I didn’t know about it. I thought that it might be around the Japanese village, so I looked it up. As it turns out, it is right across the road from the E-Mart department store. I used to go in their regularly, but since they built the new bridge and extended the bike path, I haven’t been there. I never noticed the railway.
As it turns out, I was planning to test my legs by doing a 200km ride to Gunsan this weekend. So, I decided to check it out. There were a lot of people there and it wasn’t good for bicycles, so I didn’t stay long. But, I did complete the 200km ride! It is a very easy ride (as far as 200s go). It was my first 200km ride since my injury. I can’t say that I am back on track for my yearly goal, but I am on the right track for recovery.
There are a few phrases related to “on track” that I want to cover today. A track is a fixed or determined way to go. The word track dates to the 15th century and referred to footprints or marks left by anything. However, we also call railway lines, railroad tracks. We also have track and field where the track is an oval course for running.
On Track
All of these refer to a specific course that needs to be followed. So, if you are on track to do something, you are on the correct course of action to accomplish that goal. If you continue on that “track” you will accomplish the goal.
Example: I am on track to become the youngest supervisor at my company.
Off Track
The opposite would be off track. It is used to tell someone that they will not accomplish their goal if they continue doing what they are doing.
Example: This project is off track. We won’t finish until we get back on track.
Back on Track
Today’s idiom, back on track, is a combination of the two previous statements. You started on track, then you went off track, and now you are on track again.
Example: At my cousin’s wedding I ate a lot of food, but now I am on my diet again and I am back on track to losing 10kg.
On the Right Track
On the right track means that you are on track and that what you are doing is correct or right. It has a very similar meaning to on track, but also has the feeling of approval. So, if you want to tell someone that what they are doing will lead to good results, you can tell them that they are on the right track. It is a good way to show encouragement.
Example: That’s not the correct answer, but you are on the right track. Keep it up.
Off the Beaten Track
If you go off the beaten track, you are trying something new or unconventional. Think of the beaten track as a path that has been used a lot. The ground is hard and there is no grass because so many people have walked there. It is safe and you know where the path will lead. However, if you go off the beaten track you might find something better, or you might fail to get to your destination.
Example: Most people will accept safe jobs, like being a teacher. But some people like to go off the beaten path and become entrepreneurs.
Lose Track
Losing track means that you can no longer see the pathway. You probably heard about losing track of time. It means that your perception of time is wrong. Usually losing track of time means that you are doing something enjoyable, so you don’t realize how much time you actually spent doing it. But time isn’t the only thing you can lose track of. You can also lose track of your goals. It basically means that you are off track, and it will be difficult to get back on track. It can also mean that you are just unaware of something, or you don’t know where something is.
Example: This post was originally about riding a bicycle. I feel like I lost track of what I was going to talk about and will end it here.
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Reference:
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/on-the-right-tack
https://www.etymonline.com/word/track
