out of gear
The phrase "out of gear" can refer to both mechanical disengagement and metaphorical disarray, highlighting its versatility in describing non-functional states.
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Definition
B2Mechanical
(technical)When machinery or a mechanism is not engaged or connected, resulting in a lack of operation.
Example
- The car won't move because the transmission is out of gear.
B2General
(idiom)In a state of confusion, disorganization, or dysfunction.
Example
- After the long vacation, his work routine was completely out of gear.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "out of gear":
in gearlow gearshift gearssecond gearreverse gearfind another geargear downbicycle geargear shiftfourth gearrunning geargear leverout of stepout of gasout of itout of syncout of tuneout of jointout of orderout ofout of phaseout of frameout of gaugeout of work