hop aboard

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   To get onto a vehicle, boat, train, or plane, especially quickly and casually.

   Grammar: Used without an object; the vehicle is usually already clear from the situation, and 'aboard' can also come first: hop aboard the bus.

   Patterns

   • hop aboard
   • hop aboard something

   We only had a minute, so we grabbed our bags and hopped aboard.

   Hop aboard — the ferry leaves in five minutes.

   The kids hopped aboard the little train at the zoo.

2. 2phraseidiominformalfigurative

   Used as a friendly invitation to join a group, trip, or activity.

   Grammar: Often said to one person or a group as a cheerful invitation; it is not used in formal writing.

   Patterns

   • hop aboard

   We're driving to the coast this weekend — hop aboard if you're free.

   The startup is growing fast, so hop aboard while you can.

Common combinations

hop aboard a bus

We hopped aboard a bus heading downtown.

hop aboard a train

They hopped aboard a train just as the doors were closing.

hop aboard the boat

Hop aboard the boat and find a seat.

hop aboard quickly

She hopped aboard quickly before the doors shut.

Synonyms and how they differ

get on

The everyday neutral phrase; 'hop aboard' sounds more casual and lively.

board

More formal and used in travel announcements; it does not suggest speed or casualness.

climb aboard

Similar in meaning but stresses the physical effort of getting up onto something.

Opposites

Word family

aboard adverb

On or onto a ship, train, bus, or plane.

Commonly confused: hop aboard or abroad?

Practice

Make it your own

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

Explore more words