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change gears

VERB
shift
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alter change deviate drift move relocate remove ship shuffle transfer turn vary veer
STRONG
about-face budge cook dislocate displace disturb exchange fault flip-flop rearrange replace reposition stir substitute swerve tack transmogrify transpose vacillate waffle yo-yo
WEAK
blow hot and cold bottom out dial back do up hem and haw move around move over recalibrate swap places switch over turn around turn the corner turn the tables
Antonyms
STRONGEST
continue fix hold keep remain stay
STRONG
calm leave alone order
WEAK
deactivate stagnate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A lot of people ask, “How do you change gears … knowing what song is going to be for what band?”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2024

He said the trade of a top player like Horvat earlier than usual made some colleagues change gears to, “If we’re going to make a move, let’s get going now.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 3, 2023

"You can't change gears suddenly," says Mr Kamath.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2022

Giving them only one week to change gears and get a shot was too quick, said Gregory Floyd, president of Teamsters Local 237, which represents more than 18,000 municipal workers in New York City.

From New York Times • Oct. 28, 2021

I didn’t know how they could change gears like this.

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi