back-seat driver
noun1
Dated An occupant of a large vehicle, such as a firetruck, who helps steer the vehicle from far in the back.
- When New York pitcher Vernon Gomez retires as a smokeballer he wants to become a smoke eater. Here he gets a tryout as a back-seat driver on a hook and ladder truck at St. Petersburg[…]1914, Daily Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine, USA:
2
A person sitting (typically) in the back seat of a car issuing (unsolicited and usually unwanted) instructions to the driver.
3
Figuratively An opinionated person who offers (unsolicited and often unwanted) advice on the best way to handle a situation.
- Related terms
- back seat, back-seat drive, backseater, back-seat gamer, armchair quarterback, armchair general, gatecrasher, interloper, peeping tom, persona non grata, encroacher, kibitzer, meddler, nosy parker, marplot, buttinsky, busybody, sidewalk superintendent