Ontrack

Part of speech: adjective, adverb

Definitions

1. Being in alignment with a planned course or objective; maintaining progress toward a goal or deadline; conforming to expected or desired outcomes
2. Remaining aligned with an intended plan or schedule; successfully advancing toward a target or completion; adhering to anticipated progress or results
3. Continuing in accordance with a predetermined plan or purpose; moving forward as expected toward objectives; staying within the boundaries of projected achievements

Etymology: Start with the rails. In its original sense, a train or other vehicle was on track when it stayed on the rails laid for it. The phrase then moved from machines to people. Someone whose work or plans stayed on their intended course was said to be on track, just as a train stays on its line. The parts are plain. "On" is the common English preposition, and "track" came into English from Anglo-French "trac," meaning a trail or footprint, probably of Germanic origin. The standard spelling is two words, so the closed form here is a variant. The figurative sense of progress toward a goal grew out of the railway image.

Synonyms: progressing, advancing, proceeding, moving forward

Antonyms: offtrack, delayed, behind, off course