gear shift
- noun
- /ɡɪr ʃɪft/
:
cambio de estrategia
- The unexpected feedback from customers led to a gear shift in the product development phase.
Examples
-
He slides the gear shift into drive.
Fiction book (1993) -
Malcolm is knocked into the front, and in so doing, knocks the gear shift into neutral.
Fiction book (1993) -
"One thick-knuckled hand gripped the steering wheel; the other moved deliberately to the gear shift as he revved the engine."
Fiction book (1993) -
The company's latest campaign marked a significant gear shift in its marketing strategy, focusing more on digital platforms.
-
After reviewing the project's progress, the team decided to make a gear shift in their approach to meet the deadline.
Synonyms
363
3.5
A change in place, position, or focus
343
3.4
A sudden change in a situation or story
35
4.1
A sudden change in a situation that makes plans or results different
3
6.0
A very large and sudden change in ideas, beliefs, or ways of doing things
3
2.8
A change from one thing to another
3
4.2
A move to a different direction physically or in plans
3
6.2
A change of direction, focus, or beliefs to follow a new way
1
3.2
Moving the gears in a car changes speed or power
Antonyms
How Significant
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'gear' (a mechanical setting) and 'shift' (a change), so the literal idea of changing gears maps naturally onto changing mode or approach; however the specific extension to 'strategy or activity' is metaphorical. A B1 learner who knows both words will likely infer a general sense of 'changing mode' but may not immediately grasp the pragmatic nuance of a strategic or organizational change without context, so the expression is partially but not fully transparent.
Etymology
Gear shift comes from the car part you move to change gears. Moving the gear shift quickly gives the car more speed or power, so people use it to mean 'a sudden or significant change in strategy or approach'.