out of gear
English
[edit]Prepositional phrase
[edit]- With gears not engaged; idle.
- 1854, Charles Dickens, “Chapter 11”, in Hard Times. For These Times, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], →OCLC:
- The work went on, until the noon-bell rang. More clattering upon the pavements. The looms, and wheels, and Hands all out of gear for an hour.
- Out of control; in disarray.