English idiom

shift gears

Register · Informal CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to change your approach, activity, or pace

Why this phrase?

From changing gears while driving; figuratively means to change approach or pace.

Example

“The meeting dragged, so the chair decided to shift gears.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

do the job

to be good enough to achieve the desired result

blaze a trail

to pioneer an approach that opens the way for later people

change hands

to pass from one owner to another

fall into place

to become clear or to work out well after a period of confusion

on the side

in addition to one's main job or activity, often secretly

shut up shop

to stop working for the day or to close a business permanently

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

markdown