The Archive

Etymology Journal ยท S

Stay in your lane

Meaning

A warning to mind your own business or stay within your area of expertise. It is a modern way of saying do not meddle in affairs that do not concern you.

Assertive, protective

Used in a sentence

  • I appreciate your input on marketing, but please stay in your lane regarding the engineering specs.
  • If you do not know how the software works, you should probably stay in your lane.
  • He needs to learn to stay in his lane and stop questioning my methods.

The backstory

Adapted from driving terminology where changing lanes without signaling causes accidents. It has migrated into corporate and social life to curb unwanted interference.

Heard in

Nationwide

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