a beeline to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a beeline to" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to move quickly and directly towards something or someone. Example: The cat made a beeline to the open window, eager to escape the hot room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All of the coaches make a beeline to Paul".

The New Yorker

After that, though, it was a beeline to trauma.

The New Yorker

My daughter made a beeline to a 12-foot version, but I deemed that excessive.

The New York Times

Following that effort, he made a beeline to the ice tub.

The New York Times - Sports

He then made a beeline to London, starting work as a bar manager.

The New York Times

They made a beeline to her through the air and crawled up her trousers.

The New York Times

Nixon made a beeline to the railing that exposed the kitchen.

The New York Times

We make a beeline to the cookbook cache at the Friends of the Library fund-raiser.

The New York Times

I've seen people take a look at my carry-on and then make a beeline to another checkpoint.

The New York Times

Others said that they made a beeline to the theater once they heard the news on Monday morning.

The New York Times

"Weather was bad during the beginning of the week, then everybody made a beeline to the beach," Mr. Bissel said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a beeline to" when you want to emphasize the directness and speed of someone or something moving towards a specific destination. It adds a vivid and slightly informal tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a beeline to" in highly formal or professional writing where a more direct and less idiomatic phrase like "go directly to" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

"A beeline to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating direction and swiftness of movement. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it modifies verbs of motion, emphasizing the directness of the action, like 'made a beeline' or 'make a beeline'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"A beeline to" is a common and useful prepositional phrase that vividly describes direct and rapid movement towards a specific destination. As noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very frequently used, especially in News & Media. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral contexts and should be used cautiously in highly formal writing. Alternatives like "head straight for" or "go directly to" may be more appropriate in such cases. Remember to use it to emphasize the swiftness and directness of the action you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

head straight for

Emphasizes directness of movement with a slightly less idiomatic feel.

make straight for

Similar to "head straight for" but slightly more formal.

go directly to

A more literal and less colorful way of expressing the same action.

dash towards

Conveys a sense of urgency and speed in the movement.

rush towards

Similar to "dash towards", emphasizing speed and impetuosity.

hurry to

Focuses on the speed of the movement and the need to be quick.

move swiftly to

Highlights the speed and efficiency of the movement.

target

Focuses on having as target a specific place.

set a course for

Suggests a determined and intentional direction.

gravitate towards

Implies a natural attraction or inclination towards something.

FAQs

What does the idiom "a beeline to" mean?

The idiom "a beeline to" means to go directly and quickly towards something or someone.

How can I use "a beeline to" in a sentence?

Example: "After the meeting, she made "straight for" the coffee machine."

What are some alternatives to "a beeline to"?

You can use alternatives like "head straight for", "go directly to", or "make straight for".

Is "a beeline to" appropriate for formal writing?

While "a beeline to" is widely understood, it's generally better to use more formal alternatives like "proceed directly to" or "go straight to" in professional or academic contexts.