out of gear
Transmission not connected
Out of gear describes machinery when gears are disengaged and power isn't being transmitted—a car coasting in neutral is out of gear.
Figuratively, something out of gear isn't functioning properly or is disconnected from normal operation: The whole department has been out of gear since the layoffs.
The opposite is in gear.
- disengagedNot participating or invested
- freewheelMove without propulsion
- idleWithout activity or purpose
- slipMinor error or misstep
- neutralNot favoring any side
chaotic · unbalanced · off kilter · thrown off · grind · disconnected · disorganized · disharmonious · engine · scattered · stall · nonfunctional · broken · unfocused · off-track · estranged · fragmented · divided
- machine idiomswell-oiled machine, firing on all cylinders, full steam ahead, cranking up, revving up