out of gear

English

Prepositional phrase

out of gear

1. With gears not engaged; idle.
   • 1854, Charles Dickens, “Chapter 11”, in Hard Times. For These Times, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], →OCLC:

     The work went on, until the noon-bell rang. More clattering upon the pavements. The looms, and wheels, and Hands all out of gear for an hour.

2. Out of control; in disarray.