autopilot

A state in which you do familiar things automatically, without thinking about them.

• I made breakfast on autopilot.
• After a long shift, she was running on autopilot.
• He completed the familiar tasks on autopilot while thinking about his holiday.

How to use it: on autopilot (I cleaned the kitchen on autopilot while planning my day.)

Common phrases: on autopilot, go on autopilot, work on autopilot

A system that guides a plane, boat, or other vehicle without a person controlling it.

• The pilot switched on the autopilot.
• The boat followed its course on autopilot.
• She turned off the autopilot before landing.

How to use it: on autopilot (The plane flew on autopilot for most of the journey.)

Similar words: automatic pilot

Common phrases: engage the autopilot, on autopilot, autopilot system

To move or guide itself automatically without a person controlling it.

• The drone can autopilot back to its base.
• The boat autopiloted across the lake.
• Can this vehicle autopilot along a programmed route?

Similar words: navigate automatically

Common phrases: autopilot to somewhere, autopilot across something