The driving force or idea behind something that happens or is done is the main thing that has a strong effect on it and makes it happen or be done in a particular way.
Consumer spending was the driving force behind the economic growth in the summer.
He is insistent that his career has been defined by luck and circumstance, ratherthan any driving ambition.
Synonyms: forceful, sweeping, dynamic, compelling More Synonyms of driving
2. See also drive
driving in British English
(ˈdraɪvɪŋ)
adjective
1.
having or moving with force and violence
driving rain
2.
forceful or energetic
3.
relating to the controlling of a motor vehicle in motion
driving test
driving in American English
(ˈdraɪvɪŋ)
adjective
1.
transmitting force or motion
2.
moving with force and violence
a driving rain
3.
vigorous; energetic
a driving jazz solo
noun
4.
the way one drives an automobile, etc.
More idioms containing
driving
in the driving seat
Examples of 'driving' in a sentence
driving
Driving will be testing the car next month.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Driving dilemmas don't get any tougher.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
driving
British English: driving ADJECTIVE
The driving force or idea behind something that happens or is done is the main thing that has a strong effect on it and makes it happen or be done in a particular way.
Consumer spending was the driving force behind the economic growth in the summer.
American English: driving
Brazilian Portuguese: motriz
Chinese: 起推动作用的
European Spanish: impulsor
French: moteur
German: treibend
Italian: trainante
Japanese: 推進の
Korean: 원동력이 되는
European Portuguese: motriz
Latin American Spanish: impulsor
All related terms of 'driving'
drive
When you drive somewhere , you operate a car or other vehicle and control its movement and direction.
drink-driving
driving a car after drinking alcohol
driving belt
a belt that carries movement from an engine or moving part to another moving part
driving chain
a roller chain that transmits power from one toothed wheel to another
driving force
the main factor that causes something to happen
driving range
A driving range is an outdoor place where you can practise playing golf.
driving seat
In a vehicle such as a car or a bus , the driving seat is the seat where the person who is driving the vehicle sits.
driving test
the examination that new drivers must take in order to be officially allowed to drive when not under instruction
driving time
the time or estimated time to drive between two points or to one's destination
driving wheel
a wheel , esp a gear wheel, that causes other wheels to rotate
drug-driving
driving while under the influence of drugs, esp illegal drugs
drunk driving
the crime of driving while classified as under the influence of alcohol because the quantity of alcohol in your blood exceeds legally permitted levels
rally driving
the sport of taking part in motor rallies
test-driving
to drive (a car or other motor vehicle) for a limited period in order to assess its capabilities and limitations
driving lesson
a session involving driving practice and theory with a driving instructor
driving licence
A driving licence is a card showing that you are qualified to drive because you have passed a driving test .
driving license
A driving license is the same as a → driver's license .
driving mirror
(in a vehicle) the rear-view mirror
driving school
A driving school is a business that employs instructors who teach people how to drive a car .
drunken driving
the crime of driving while classified as under the influence of alcohol because the quantity of alcohol in your blood exceeds legally permitted levels
careless driving
the offence of driving without due care
dangerous driving
the act of driving a motor vehicle in a manner that falls far below that expected of a competent and careful driver and hence puts the life of the driver and the lives of other road users at risk
driving instructor
a person that makes their living from teaching people to drive
driving position
When someone or something is in a particular position , they are sitting , lying, or arranged in that way.
reckless driving
a serious traffic offence whereby the driver of a vehicle disregards the rules of the road, driving very dangerously, causing accidents or other damage
co-drive
to take alternate turns driving (a vehicle) with another person
drive at
to intend or mean
drive-off
If you drive someone or something off , you force them to go away and to stop attacking you or threatening you.
drive out
To drive out something means to make it disappear or stop operating .
in the driving seat
If you say that someone is in the driving seat , you mean that they are in control in a situation .
drive away
To drive people away means to make them want to go away or stay away.
test drive
a limited period of driving a car or other motor vehicle in order to assess its capabilities and limitations
test-driven
to drive (a car or other motor vehicle) for a limited period in order to assess its capabilities and limitations
test-drove
to drive (a car or other motor vehicle) for a limited period in order to assess its capabilities and limitations
provisional driving licence
a temporary driving licence issued to learner drivers
to be in the driving seat
If you say that someone is in the driving seat , you mean that they are in control in a situation .
what someone is driving at
If you ask someone what they are driving at , you are asking what they are trying to say or what they are saying indirectly.