Bumper to bumper Meaning in English
expression
ˈbəmpɝ/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈbəmpɝ
BUM-per tuh BUM-per
bˈʌmpɐ/ /tˈuː/ /bˈʌmpɐ
BUM-puh too BUM-puh
Definition
Used to describe very heavy traffic where cars are so close together that their bumpers are almost touching.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and commonly used to describe severe traffic jams. Often appears as 'bumper-to-bumper traffic.' It does not mean accidents; it means cars are packed closely but not necessarily moving.
Spanish: atascados - embotellamientoPortuguese (BR): engarrafamento - trânsito paradoPortuguese (PT): engarrafamento - trânsito compactoChinese (Simplified): 堵车 - 车挨车Chinese (Traditional): 塞車 - 車貼車Hindi: गाड़ी पर गाड़ी (भीड़भाड़ वाला ट्रैफिक)Arabic: ازدحام مروريBengali: গাড়ির পর গাড়ি - ঠাসাঠাসি যানজটRussian: плотный поток - пробка (авто вплотную)Japanese: びっしり詰まった - 渋滞（車間なし）Vietnamese: chen chúc - kẹt xe nối đuôi nhauKorean: 차가 꽉 막힌 - 꼬리에 꼬리를 문Turkish: tampon tampona - araçlar dip dibeUrdu: گاڑیوں کا ہجوم - گاڑیوں کی قطارIndonesian: padat merayap - macet total
Example Sentences
The highway was bumper to bumper during rush hour.
basic
We moved slowly through the bumper to bumper traffic.
basic
It took us an hour to get through bumper to bumper cars.
basic
Sorry, I'm running late—the streets are bumper to bumper right now.
natural
It was bumper to bumper from downtown all the way to the airport.
natural
Traffic was bumper to bumper after the concert let out.
natural