drive at

drive at (someone or something)

1. To aim one’s vehicle, especially a car, at someone or something while driving. A noun or pronoun can be used between “drive” and “at” to specify the person’s vehicle.

The lunatic drove straight at the doors of the bank, smashing clean through them.

The court heard that she had driven her Mercedes at the man in his own driveway.

2. To drive one’s vehicle, especially a car, at a particular time of day or night. A noun or pronoun can be used between “drive” and “at” to specify the person’s vehicle.

We’ll start driving at noon, so make sure your bags are all packed and ready to go by then.

I hate driving at night over such long distances.

3. To drive one’s vehicle, especially a car, at a particular speed. A noun or pronoun can be used between “drive” and “at” to specify the person’s vehicle.

The police officer on duty that night caught the man driving at over 140 miles per hour.

I had to drive the truck at half the speed limit to keep it from falling apart right there on the road.

4. To allude to some point or topic or orient one’s discussion of something toward a particular conclusion.

What exactly are you driving at with a critical statement like that? If you have a problem with my work, just tell me.

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.