Question

Go Along for the Ride to watch but not take part in an activity; to keep someone company

Accepted Answer

Harriet swore that she didn't trash any lawns. She just went along for the ride. This idiom was born in the late 1890s, at the beginning of the automobile age. Originally, it meant exactly what it said. If you had nothing better to do, you might go along with people for a ride in their car. The driver was doing something (driving the car) for a purpose (to get somewhere). You weren't doing anything, just sitting there in the car, looking out the window. Today we say that you're "going along for the ride" if you're joining an activity just to have something to do or just to be with other people.

Idiom	Go Along for the Ride
Example	Harriet swore that she didn't trash any lawns. She just went along for the ride.
Meaning	to watch but not take part in an activity; to keep someone company
Origin	This idiom was born in the late 1890s, at the beginning of the automobile age. Originally, it meant exactly what it said. If you had nothing better to do, you might go along with people for a ride in their car. The driver was doing something (driving the car) for a purpose (to get somewhere). You weren't doing anything, just sitting there in the car, looking out the window. Today we say that you're "going along for the ride" if you're joining an activity just to have something to do or just to be with other people.

Ride Harriet Swore Trash Lawns Watch Part Activity