three-on-the-tree

• 3-on-the-tree

• Audio (AU)

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three-on-the-tree (plural three-on-the-trees)

1. (US, idiomatic) On an automobile (especially those produced from 1939 through the mid-1970s), a three-speed manual transmission whose gearshift lever is mounted on the steering column.

   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 transmission.

• four-on-the-floor