four-on-the-floor

American  

[fawr-on-thuh-flawr, fohr-on-thuh-flohr, -awn-] / ˈfɔr ɒn ðəˌflɔr, ˈfoʊr ɒn ðəˌfloʊr, -ɔn- /

noun

1. a four-speed manual transmission having the gearshift set into the floor.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to such a transmission.

Etymology

Origin of four-on-the-floor

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

four-on-the-floor

Raddon ventures away from his standard four-on-the-floor house music and into broken beats on “Started Over.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025

Joining that trio of singles are the radio-friendly tune the infectious, four-on-the-floor “Unfeel It” as well as her ballad title track.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 19, 2023

“Bad Bunny relished his unprecedented triumphs with a two-hour musical marathon, fashioning several reggaeton and trap numbers ... into four-on-the-floor house jams suited for a rave,” Exposito wrote.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2023

Lenae’s four-piece backing band brought the organic funk of her songs to life, whether chiming in with fingerpicked guitar, slithering bass-lines, synth squeals or four-on-the-floor beats.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 8, 2022

So I drive into town for my first date in two years in a red 1941 Chevrolet four-on-the-floor with a John Deere motor grader hooked behind me.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett