ride the clutch

English[edit]

ride the clutch (third-person singular simple present rides the clutch, present participle riding the clutch, simple past rode the clutch, past participle ridden the clutch)

To slip the clutch (of a manual transmission) excessively, such that its working life will be shortened; especially, to keep one's foot or hand on the clutch pedal or lever even when no slipping of the clutch is needed.
- 2005, Paul Carter, Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs, Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, page 65:
  In Sydney you'd better be riding the clutch and completely in sync with the traffic lights so that your car is already moving as they turn green.