Drive by Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈdɹaɪv/ /ˈbaɪ

DRYV-BY

UK

dɹˈaɪv/ /bˈaɪ

dry-VY

Definition

To pass a place or person while driving in a car. In criminal contexts, it can also mean a shooting or attack carried out from a moving vehicle.

Usage & Nuances

Informal in both senses. As a neutral phrase, 'drive by' means simply to pass by while driving. In news or police reports, a 'drive-by' usually refers to a criminal shooting or attack from a moving vehicle. Don't confuse with simply 'drive' (to operate a vehicle). The noun 'drive-by' is often hyphenated.

• Spanish: pasar en coche - tiroteo desde un coche (contexto criminal)
• Portuguese (BR): passar de carro - atentado de carro (contexto criminal)
• Portuguese (PT): passar de carro - ataque de carro (contexto criminal)
• Chinese (Simplified): 开车路过 - （犯罪）驾车枪击
• Chinese (Traditional): 開車路過 - （犯罪）駕車槍擊
• Hindi: गाड़ी से गुजरना - गाड़ी से फायरिंग (अपराध संदर्भ में)
• Arabic: المرور بالسيارة - إطلاق نار من سيارة (في سياق جرمي)
• Bengali: গাড়ি চালিয়ে চলে যাওয়া - গাড়ি থেকে হামলা (অপরাধমূলক)
• Russian: проезжать мимо - нападение из машины (криминальное)
• Japanese: 車で通り過ぎる - ドライブバイ（車からの攻撃）
• Vietnamese: lái xe ngang qua - xả súng từ xe (tội phạm)
• Korean: 차를 타고 지나가다 - 차량에서의 공격(범죄)
• Turkish: arabayla geçmek - arabadan yapılan saldırı (suç)
• Urdu: گاڑی چلاتے ہوئے گزرنا - گاڑی سے حملہ (جرم)
• Indonesian: lái xe ngang qua - tấn công từ xe (tội phạm)

Example Sentences

We drove by the new cafe on our way home.

basic

Don't just drive by; stop and say hello!

basic

Did you see the parade when you drove by City Hall?

basic

There was a drive-by shooting in the neighborhood last night.

natural

People just drive by and never notice the old bookstore.

natural

He slowed down to drive by her house and wave.

natural