three-on-the-tree
On an automobile, a three-speed manual transmission whose gearshift lever is a column…On an automobile (especially those produced from 1939 through the mid-1970s), a three-speed manual transmission whose gearshift lever is a column shifter (mounted on the steering column) (R-N-1-2-3).
Meaning
2 senses(US, idiomatic)On an automobile (especially those produced from 1939 through the mid-1970s), a three-speed manual transmission whose gearshift lever is a column shifter (mounted on the steering column) (R-N-1-2-3).
In driver's education, they used to teach students to drive in cars with a three-on-the-tree, but now the cars all have automatic transmissions.
His old car was a three-on-the-tree. Now he drives a four-on-the-floor.
On an automobile (especially those produced from 1939 through the mid-1970s), a three-speed manual transmission whose gearshift lever is a column shifter (mounted on the steering column) (R-N-1-2-3).
(US, idiomatic, metonymically)A vehicle with such a transmission.
Forms
plural: three-on-the-trees| Singular | three-on-the-tree |
|---|---|
| Plural | three-on-the-trees |
regular