autopilot mode

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountabletechnical

   A setting in which a vehicle or machine controls itself without a person operating it.

   Grammar: Can be used with 'a' or without an article: 'The plane is in autopilot mode' or 'Switch to autopilot mode.'

   Patterns

   • in autopilot mode
   • switch to autopilot mode
   • set something to autopilot mode

   The pilot switched to autopilot mode shortly after takeoff.

   In autopilot mode, the drone follows a pre-programmed route.

   You can put the ship into autopilot mode and it will keep a steady course.

2. 2noununcountablefigurative

   A state of doing things automatically, without conscious thought or attention.

   Grammar: Used figuratively, often in the phrase 'on autopilot' rather than 'in autopilot mode'.

   Patterns

   • on autopilot
   • in autopilot mode
   • go into autopilot mode

   After a long week, I was just going through my emails in autopilot mode.

   He drove home on autopilot mode and hardly remembered the journey.

   When I'm tired, I cook dinner in autopilot mode.

Word forms

Common combinations

switch to autopilot mode

The captain switched to autopilot mode once the plane was cruising.

in autopilot mode

The car can stay in autopilot mode on the highway.

go on autopilot

I went on autopilot and forgot to add the attachment.

turn off autopilot mode

You should turn off autopilot mode when landing.

Synonyms and how they differ

automatic pilot

The full, more formal term for the same system; 'autopilot' is the shortened, everyday form.

self-driving mode

Used mainly for cars; it emphasizes the vehicle driving itself rather than the general system.

Opposites

Word family

autopilot noun

The system itself, or the state of acting without thinking.

Commonly confused: autopilot mode or automatic?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “autopilot mode”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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