freewheel

/ˌfriːˈwiːl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌfriːˈwiːl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfrē-ˈ(h)wēl/ (ame, mw)

freewheel — verb

  • freewheelpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • freewheelshe / she / it
  • freewheeledpast simple
  • freewheeling-ing form

1. to let a bike, car, or similar vehicle roll forward on its own after you stop pe

1.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to let a bike, car, or similar vehicle roll forward on its own after you stop pedalling or stop using power.

例句

Takeshi stopped pedalling and freewheeled down the quiet hill to the bridge.

freewheel down [hill/road] after pedalling stops

The old van freewheeled into the garage after the engine suddenly died.

freewheel into [place] after power stops

同義詞
  • coast

    the closest everyday verb; broader and less tied to wheel mechanisms

  • glide

    stresses smooth movement rather than the loss of power

反義詞
  • pedal

    to make a bicycle move by pushing the pedals

  • accelerate

    to increase power or speed instead of letting motion continue on its own

文法句型

freewheel down [hill/road]

freewheel into/to [place]

用法筆記

Usually used for bicycles, carts, and vehicles when forward motion continues after active effort stops. Distinguish from verb/2, which describes an unrestricted way of living or working rather than literal movement.

常見錯誤

❌He freewheeled the bike uphill.
✅He pedalled the bike uphill.
💡'freewheel' usually describes rolling without extra power, not powering a vehicle uphill.

2. to live or act in a loose, unplanned way, following your own wishes with too lit

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to live or act in a loose, unplanned way, following your own wishes with too little control or responsibility.

例句

After leaving his office job, Femi freewheeled around Europe for six months.

freewheel around [place] in an unplanned way

The band freewheeled through the rehearsal, joking and changing the song order.

freewheel through [activity] without structure

同義詞
  • improvise

    can be positive and creative, while 'freewheel' often suggests less discipline

  • drift

    suggests weak direction; 'freewheel' adds a sense of carefree or irresponsible freedom

反義詞
  • organize

    to work in a planned and controlled way

  • restrain

    to hold yourself or others back instead of acting freely

文法句型

freewheel through [period/activity]

freewheel around [place]

用法筆記

Often appears with through or around when describing a period of life, a group, or a project that is running with little discipline. Distinguish from verb/1, which is about physical rolling after power stops.

常見錯誤

❌The team freewheeled the new rules.
✅The team freewheeled through the season and ignored the new rules.
💡this sense is intransitive and describes loose behaviour, not an action done to an object.

freewheel — noun