one for the road

Idioms and Phrases

A final drink before leaving, as in Won't you have just one for the road? This term always alludes to an alcoholic drink and a practice that, if the person is going to drive away, is not only frowned on but in many places illegal. [First half of 1900s]

Example Sentences

She said she'd always classed herself as a "heavy drinker", telling The Nine: "I would always have one for the road."

From BBC

But on the field, there is no doubt he remains committed to trying to win one more Super Bowl in Green Bay, even if turns out to be one for the road.

From Washington Post

Every time she comes over, she helps herself to a can of pop and often one for the road.

From Washington Post

Or Nattawut Poonpiriya’s Wong Kar-Wai produced drama “One for the Road” and Timur Bekmambetov’s social media age Romeo and Juliet riff “R#J.”

From Seattle Times

Rep. Joe Cunningham of South Carolina made it one for the road, cracking open a can of beer in a toast to his fellow members in a sign-off of his brief tenure.

From Washington Times