fish-tail
Slide side-to-side
A fish-tail is a shape resembling the forked tail of a fish, as in a fish-tail braid or the back of certain evening gowns.
To fish-tail is to swing side to side at the rear while moving forward—typically said of vehicles losing traction: The truck fish-tailed on the icy road.
Also spelled fishtail.
Excessive rear rotation
- countersteerTurning toward a skid
- slideSmooth continuous movement
- swerveAbrupt directional change
- loss of controlInability to direct outcomes
traction · slippery · hydroplane · ice · snow · gravel · rear-wheel drive · instability
Abrupt directional change
- zigzagAngled back-and-forth path
- veerChange course suddenly
- slalomSki race through gates
- oscillateMove rhythmically between extremes
whip · swing · waggle · snake · weave · wobble · pivot · lateral movement
Gradual movement, no direction
- handbrake turnSpin via rear-lock
- countersteerTurning toward a skid
- throttle controlDevice regulating engine speed
- steeringControlling direction of movement
cornering · maneuver · precision · tire grip · motorsport · drift racing · asphalt · track
oversteer
Excessive rear rotation
- countersteerTurning toward a skid
- slideSmooth continuous movement
- swerveAbrupt directional change
loss of control · traction · slippery · hydroplane · ice · snow · gravel · rear-wheel drive · instability · skid
swerve
Abrupt directional change
oscillate · whip · swing · waggle · snake · weave · wobble · pivot · lateral movement · side-to-side
drift
Gradual movement, no direction
- handbrake turnSpin via rear-lock
- countersteerTurning toward a skid
- throttle controlDevice regulating engine speed
steering · cornering · maneuver · precision · tire grip · motorsport · drift racing · asphalt · track · exhibition
fish-tailhold the road
Maintain traction while driving
grip · stable · steady · controlled · planted