wheelspin
Tires rotating uselessly
Wheelspin is the rapid rotation of a vehicle's wheels without corresponding forward motion, typically when tires lose traction on slippery surfaces or under hard acceleration.
The term extends figuratively to futile effort that produces no progress: After months of wheelspin, the committee finally made a decision.
Airborne combustion byproduct
- rubberElastic polymer from trees
- tireLose strength or energy
- screechHigh, harsh cry
- squealShrill, piercing cry
asphalt · skid · rev · showoff · hotrod · dragstrip · exhaust · stationary
Excessive rear rotation
- countersteerTurning toward a skid
- slideSmooth continuous movement
- handbrakeStationary vehicle lock
- yawRotational side deviation
sideways · angle · smoke · e-brake · powerslide · controlled · intentional · competition
Set into motion
Minor error or misstep
- gripSecure manual hold
- adhesionState of clinging fast
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- slipperyLacking friction, hard-to-grasp
wet · icy · gravel · mud · sand · snow · surface · tire-pressure
smoke
Airborne combustion byproduct
squeal · asphalt · skid · rev · showoff · hotrod · dragstrip · exhaust · stationary · deliberate
oversteer
Excessive rear rotation
- countersteerTurning toward a skid
- slideSmooth continuous movement
- handbrakeStationary vehicle lock
yaw · sideways · angle · smoke · e-brake · powerslide · controlled · intentional · competition · tandem
launch
Set into motion
- torqueRotational force measurement
- throttlePower flow controller
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
start · surge · power · traction · dig · pedal · turbo · boost
slip
Minor error or misstep
slippery · wet · icy · gravel · mud · sand · snow · surface · tire-pressure · tread
stuck
Unable to move
stranded · ineffective · metaphor · frustration · helpless · mired
- vehicle dynamicsacceleration, handling, steering, traction, braking
wheelspinforward progress
Advancement toward an objective
forward motion · traction · progress · momentum · advancement