Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

In a letter I came across a sentence

Despite of feeling bad for losing one of the best students so far yet for any further specific info/ query you are welcome to get in touch with me through any vehicles during business hours.

Is "through any vehicles" an idiom? I googled "through any vehicles" idiom without any success.

share|improve this question
2  
That isn’t even close to correct English for more reasons than those stated. – tchrist May 27 '12 at 17:36
@tchrist it looks like a slightly changed output of the translator. – lukas May 27 '12 at 18:03

closed as too localized by FumbleFingers, Matt Эллен, Mahnax, kiamlaluno, TimLymington Aug 25 '12 at 16:22

This question is unlikely to help any future visitors; it is only relevant to a small geographic area, a specific moment in time, or an extraordinarily narrow situation that is not generally applicable to the worldwide audience of the internet. For help making this question more broadly applicable, see the FAQ.

2 Answers

up vote 6 down vote

It's not really an idiom, it's just using a perhaps less-known definition of vehicle. From Merriam-Webster:

vehicle, noun …2: an agent of transmission : carrier

In the given context, the implied idea is vehicle of communication. It's probably not the most common word to use in that context (method or medium come to my mind first), but it's definitely not unheard of. There are some other things going on in that sentence that make me think that the author is not a native English speaker, but I think the intent is pretty clear.

share|improve this answer
You are right. The letter sounds funny:) – Noah May 27 '12 at 19:17
It is such a usage, but is incorrect because the plural is used; it should be singular. The preposition through is a bit odd. A more conventional usage would be something like get in touch using any vehicle. – mgkrebbs May 27 '12 at 20:04
@mgkrebbs: It would still be a daft choice of words anyway. Per Cameron's definition, a vehicle of communication is usually an agent, intermediary who/which carries/clarifies a message. The "more conventional usage" would be something like get in touch using any means - except "post / email" wouldn't really fit since the writer specifies "business hours". Presumably he only expects telephone or visit in person, but he's trying to sound more expansive and all-embracing. – FumbleFingers May 28 '12 at 3:29
up vote 0 down vote

I can't find this phrase in my dictionary of phrasal verbs and idioms. The "vehicles" word might be replaced for mail, phone... or anything that you can contact with him/her.

share|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.