PhrasesHub

Shift gears

    Definitions

      • Change direction or approach
        To switch focus, strategy, or tactics in order to achieve a different outcome or result

      • Increase speed or intensity
        To accelerate, increase pace, or become more energetic in order to complete a task or reach a goal

    Examples of Shift gears

    • After a long and tiring day at work, Sarah decided to shift gears and focus on her hobbies.

      Shift gears is an idiom that means to change direction or focus. In this example, Sarah is changing her focus from work to her hobbies, just as a driver would shift gears in a car to change speeds.

    • The company's strategy shifted gears as they realized the market was changing.

      In this example, the company's approach or strategy changed direction as they adapted to a changing market, much like a driver would shift gears to adjust to different road conditions.

    • After months of arguing, the couple finally decided to shift gears and work on their communication skills.

      Here, the couple is changing their focus from their disagreements to working on improving their communication, much like a driver would shift gears to adjust to a different terrain or situation.

    • The sales team shifted gears and started focusing on a new product line.

      In this example, the sales team is changing their focus from one product line to another, much like a driver would shift gears to switch from one speed to another.

    • The project manager shifted gears and decided to delegate some tasks to other team members.

      Here, the project manager is changing their focus from doing everything themselves to delegating tasks to others, much like a driver would shift gears to let someone else take the lead in driving.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "shift gears" can be used in two main contexts: to change direction or approach, and to increase speed or intensity. In both cases, it conveys the idea of making a significant shift or adjustment in order to achieve a different outcome.

    In the first context, "shift gears" is often used to describe a change in strategy or tactics. For example, a business may need to shift gears in order to adapt to a changing market, or a student may need to shift gears in order to study more effectively for an exam. In this sense, the idiom is often used as a warning or piece of advice, cautioning against continuing on the same path and suggesting a change in direction.

    In the second context, "shift gears" is often used to describe an increase in speed or intensity. This can be in a literal sense, such as shifting gears in a car to go faster, or in a figurative sense, such as increasing the pace of work or becoming more energetic in completing a task. In this sense, the idiom conveys the idea of stepping up one's efforts in order to achieve a desired result.

    Origin of "Shift gears"

    The origin of the idiom "shift gears" can be traced back to the early 1900s and is believed to have originated from the world of automobiles. At this time, manual transmission cars were becoming more popular and required drivers to physically shift gears in order to change the speed or power of the vehicle. This action became synonymous with making a significant change or adjustment, and the phrase "shift gears" was eventually adopted into everyday language.

    Over time, the idiom has evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings, including both literal and figurative uses. It is now commonly used in a variety of contexts, from sports and business to everyday life, to describe the act of making a significant change in direction or intensity.