Tailgate Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

To drive very closely behind another vehicle. In American English, it can also mean having a party near the back of a vehicle, often before sports events.

Usage & Nuances

As a verb, 'tailgate' (driving meaning) is sometimes informal and has a negative connotation (unsafe or rude). Noun use for a party is US English only. Common phrases: 'Don't tailgate!' (warning), 'tailgate party.' Do not confuse with 'trunk party'—different idea.

• Spanish: pegar el rebufo (conducir muy cerca detrás) - fiesta en el maletero
• Portuguese (BR): andar colado (dirigir carro muito perto) - festa no porta-malas
• Portuguese (PT): colar-se (conduzir muito perto) - festa na bagageira
• Chinese (Simplified): 紧跟行驶 - 后备箱聚会
• Chinese (Traditional): 緊跟行駛 - 後車箱派對
• Hindi: पीछे से बहुत पास चलना - गाड़ी की डिक्की पार्टी
• Arabic: الملاحقة اللصيقة (قيادة قريبة جدًا خلف سيارة) - حفلة خلف السيارة
• Bengali: পিছনে বেশি কাছাকাছি গাড়ি চালানো - গাড়ির পেছনে পার্টি (মার্কিন)
• Russian: ехать вплотную сзади - вечеринка у багажника (амер., сущ.)
• Japanese: ぴったり後ろを走る - テイルゲートパーティー（米国英語、名詞）
• Vietnamese: bám sát xe phía trước - tiệc đuôi xe (party gần ô tô, Mỹ)
• Korean: 바짝 따라가다 - 테일게이트 파티(미국식 파티)
• Turkish: tampona yapışmak - bagaj partisi (Amerikan)
• Urdu: پیچھے بہت قریب گاڑی چلانا - ٹیل گیٹ پارٹی (امریکی)
• Indonesian: nguntit terlalu dekat - pesta tailgate (AS)

Example Sentences

She hates when people tailgate her, so she always changes lanes.

natural

It's dangerous to tailgate another car on the highway.

basic

Please don't tailgate me while I'm driving.

basic

We had a fun tailgate before the football game.

basic

If you tailgate, you're more likely to get into an accident.

natural

We set up the grill for a classic tailgate in the parking lot.

natural