Tail back Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To form a long line or become backed up, especially with traffic or people waiting. Commonly used when vehicles or people are waiting, and the line gets longer and moves slowly.
Usage & Nuances
Mainly a British English, semi-formal expression used for traffic jams or crowds forming long lines. Most often seen in news, radio, or traffic reports: 'traffic is starting to tail back from the bridge.' Not used for inanimate objects. In American English, 'back up' is more common for traffic.
Example Sentences
Cars began to tail back after the accident.
basic
The traffic will tail back for miles during rush hour.
basic
People started to tail back outside the concert hall.
basic
It was raining and the cars just kept tailing back along the motorway.
natural
If there’s an accident up ahead, traffic will tail back pretty quickly.
natural
We were late because the roadworks made the traffic tail back for ages.
natural