on the rails
The phrase "on the rails" can be used both literally, in the context of trains, and figuratively, to describe something functioning smoothly.
Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)Operating smoothly and as planned, without any issues or deviations.
Example
- After months of hard work, the project is finally on the rails.
B1Transportation
(literal)Situated on or near the tracks of a railway.
Example
- The workers were careful while working on the rails.
C1Horse Racing
(sports)Racing toward the inside, near the fence that bounds the track.
Example
- The jockey kept his horse on the rails to maintain an advantage.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "on the rails":
on railsrunning railoff the railson tracktrain trackoff the trackconductor railon the linehanging railship railwayon the roadrun a trainon the wagonthird railguide railon the tackrailway lineon the ropesrolling stockrail wagonrailway trainon boardon wheelson the uppull a trainon the edgeride alongin ironsin linetrain surfingon the turn