Mexican overdrive
Mexican overdrive
slang The act of coasting downhill in an automobile with the gears in neutral, with the aim of either saving fuel or making the vehicle go faster than would otherwise be possible. He rolled down the mountain in Mexican overdrive, but as he reached a bend in the road, the truck was going too fast, and it went careering through the guard rails and into the ravine.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
Mexican overdrive
the neutral gear position used when coasting downhill. US informalThis expression originated in the mid 20th century, especially in language used by long-distance truck drivers.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017