Usage of "first gear"

Catalan

The lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle; used to start a car moving.

Usage of first gear in English

The much-heralded 'hydrogen economy' never appears to get out of first gear. 
 The Guardian 

His technique is robotic and his heart rate never leaves first gear. 
 Radio NZ 

I shifted into first gear, locked the hubs, and started the ascent. 
 Climbing Magazine 

He had a first gear, a tenth gear and nothing in between. 
 The Guardian 

The driver threw it into first gear and hauled out of there. 
 The Fireman 

Until something goes terribly wrong, everyone back home is idling in first gear. 
 Gods go begging 

The computer says you came all the way down here in first gear. 
 Artemis Fowl: the opal deception 

As of mid-February, the federal government remained stuck in first gear. 
 Reuters 

England barely emerged from first gear during their canter to victory. 
 The Guardian 

The Kid cursed horribly, changed down to first gear, and floored the accelerator. 
 The stand 

Laurel shoved the stick into first gear and peeled out of the driveway. 
 Spells 

However, he didn't nab the first gear-only ascent until 2009. 
 Climbing Magazine 

And the Smith campaign has taken a while to grind out of first gear. 
 The Guardian 

The Freightliner ground into first gear and lurched forward with a raggedy diesel roar. 
 The Fireman 

Machiavelli turned the key in the ignition and wrenched the car into first gear. 
 The Magician 

The car rocked as Ryan shifted from first gear to reverse and back again. 
 Death du Jour 

first

Adjective

Noun

Translations for first gear

Catalan

First gear through the time

First gear across language varieties

Ireland

Common

United States of America

Less common

United Kingdom

Rare

Meanings of first gear in English