first gear
Lowest driving ratio
First gear is the lowest gear in a vehicle's transmission, providing maximum torque for starting from a standstill or climbing steep grades.
It trades speed for power—the engine works hard but the wheels turn slowly.
Figuratively, being in first gear means operating at the most basic or initial level: The project is still in first gear.
Move slowly, low
- creepStealthy, slow movement
- idleWithout activity or purpose
- low speedMinimal velocity
- trudgeWalk slowly, heavily
plod · snail's pace · gradual · slow start · lurch · rolling start
Mechanism linking engine to gearbox
- transmissionSending of information
- shiftMovement or work period
- pedalFoot-operated lever
- neutralNot favoring any side
stall · engage · torque · drivetrain · synchronizer · flywheel · differential · powertrain
One who lacks experience
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- newbieInexperienced person, informally
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
- apprenticeLearner bound to employer
trainee · fledgling · neophyte · amateur · learner · newcomer · starter · fresh start
Place of commencement
- outsetInitial point of something
- onsetStarting point of something
- launchSet into motion
- inceptionFounding moment
kickoff · debut · introduction · baseline · foundation · groundwork · entry level · early stage
crawl
Move slowly, low
trudge · plod · snail's pace · gradual · slow start · lurch · rolling start
clutch
Mechanism linking engine to gearbox
- transmissionSending of information
- shiftMovement or work period
- pedalFoot-operated lever
neutral · stall · engage · torque · drivetrain · synchronizer · flywheel · differential · powertrain · manual
beginner
One who lacks experience
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- newbieInexperienced person, informally
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
apprentice · trainee · fledgling · neophyte · amateur · learner · newcomer · starter · fresh start · learning curve
starting point
Place of commencement
inception · kickoff · debut · introduction · baseline · foundation · groundwork · entry level · early stage · square one
- manual transmissionclutch, shift, shifter, stick shift, clutch pedal
- firstsinitial, beginning, start, opening, original
- transmissionbroadcast, broadcasting, transmitter, relay, signal
first gearcruising speed
Sustained efficient velocity
full speed · top speed · full throttle · terminal velocity · coasting
first geartop gear
Fastest transmission ratio
high gear · fifth gear · sixth gear · overdrive · fourth gear
first, gear, gears, first-rate, firstly, firsthand, geared, first-class, firstborn