designated driver

[ des-ig-ney-tid drahy-ver ]

noun

1. a person who abstains from alcoholic beverages at a gathering in order to be fit to drive companions home safely. : DD

designated driver

noun

1. a person who volunteers not to drink alcohol on a social occasion, so that he or she can safely drive other people who have been drinking

Word History and Origins

Origin of designated driver¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

She told him that she was usually the designated driver and never had a sip of alcohol before she was 21.

From Washington Post

Choose carefully and make sure you have a designated driver.

From The Daily Beast