Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromichi]

What does "drive a kick into gear" mean?

Black-voter drives kick into gear
Obama volunteers in North Carolina have focused on registering African Americans. Now they're offering them rides to the polls.
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Hiromichi

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello Hiromichi -

'drive' - to spur oneself or others to strenuous effort or greater intensity of physical or mental exertion (activity)

There were concerted efforts to get black voters to register to vote -
(voter registeration drives)

'kick into gear' - to engage / begin an action (as in putting a car into gear in order to move)

There is a bit of a 'pun' intended with the use of 'drive' and
'kick into gear' - get started by offering rides.

If the explanation is not clear/full enough...please ask for more. Philo

[hiromichi]

Philo Kevetch:
Thank you very much for your clear and full explanation.
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Hiromichi