designated driver

American  

[des-ig-ney-tid drahy-ver] / ˈdɛs ɪgˌneɪ tɪd ˈdraɪ vər /

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 British  

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

---

Etymology

Origin of designated driver

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

Others want to retain the ability to be responsive or responsible for later activities, like serving as a designated driver, operating heavy machinery or being “on-call” for work.

From Salon • Jul. 31, 2024

Which is why it must have made it all the more painful that while others partied the night away, Maryland Republican Senate candidate Larry Hogan was stuck playing designated driver.

From Slate • Jun. 1, 2024

Consider offering to be the trip’s chef, or the weekend’s designated driver.

From New York Times • Jul. 8, 2023

So whether you are sober, sober-curious, pregnant, dieting, the designated driver, or need to wake up early for a big meeting, there’s no reason to miss out on a great drink.

From Washington Times • Jun. 28, 2023

James, our designated driver, got the bus out of its space and a quarter of the way past the rows of parked vehicles when we heard the police whistle.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers