(tag/go) along (for the ride)
Meaning(s)
1. accompany someone, agree with someone/to something, participate in an action (without full engagement)
Popularity
Low
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
came along for the ride, would you like to tag along?
Analysis
In the U.S.A., a 'ride' is a journey (like a 'lift' in the U.K. or Ireland), so this expression refers to a kind of journey where you might accompany someone in what they are doing. It can be physically going somewhere, or following a course of action or an idea. We can use this expression in a number of contexts, but it's probably more suited to social situations.
Social Examples (Advance)
- She wasn't planning to buy anything when they went to the mall - she just wanted to go along for the ride.
- We're going to the movies. Would you like to tag along?
- We trusted the architect, so we went along with his recommendation. It turned out to be a disaster!
Professional Examples (Advance)
- I'm taking the new company car out for a spin, would you like to tag along for the ride?
- If you are going to a meeting ask the new guy in sales to tag along, he might learn something from spending the day with you and observing you at work.