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seismic shift

seismic shift

3 6.0
A very large and sudden change in ideas, beliefs, or ways of doing things
  • noun
  • /ˈsaɪzmɪk ʃɪft/
translation icon : cambio sísmico
  • The company's new strategy represents a seismic shift in how it approaches customer service.

I mean, there is there's a true seismic shift going on right now.

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Examples

  • Morning is here to help investors profit handsomely from this seismic shift in the global economy.

    Blog text (10)
  • It can be a historic and seismic shift in our political landscape.

  • As I said, it is time for a seismic shift in policy.

    Blog text (29)
  • It's time for a seismic shift in America.

    Blog text (29)
  • The boom in American natural gas production is causing a seismic shift in the entire American economy.

    Blog text (21)
  • There's been a seismic shift in your existence, and I'm responsible.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Not just a small-scale evolution but a fundamental seismic shift.

    Blog text (26)
  • This blended wing aircraft is capable of causing a seismic shift in the airline industry greater than any other technology advanced before it.

  • He says it's clear that the market is experiencing a seismic shift, and we need to react accordingly.

  • According to the Women's Environment and Development Organization, the ICPD Programme represented "a seismic shift in the thinking on health and population policies."

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

leap
vsseismic shift
131 3.2

A sudden big change or increase

focuses on sudden dramatic change in ideas beliefs policies rather than increase
sea change
vsseismic shift
19 6.3

A big, lasting difference in the way people think or do things

often signals a sudden dramatic change in beliefs ideas or policies
earthquake
vsseismic shift
18 4.6

A sudden major change that shocks and upsets a group or system

focuses more on sudden dramatic changes in ideas beliefs or policies
rapid change
vsseismic shift
6 3.3

A quick move from one state to another

implies greater significance and drama in ideas beliefs policies than mere speed
tectonic shift
vsseismic shift
1 6.8

A very big change in a field like business or public opinion

emphasizes sudden dramatic change in ideas beliefs policies rather than only large changes
gear shift
vsseismic shift
5.0

A sudden change in plan or way of doing things to improve results

applies to broad dramatic changes in ideas beliefs or policies rather than tactics

Antonyms

363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

52 4.7

A situation where things stay the same or keep happening without big changes

How Dramatic

revolution
810 4.1
seismic shift
3 6.0
shift
363 3.5
change
1.1
adjustment
133 2.9

Surface Forms

seismic shift singular

Morphology

seismic + shift

The phrase combines 'seismic' (earthquake-related) with 'shift' (change), so the meaning 'a very large or sudden change' is a straightforward metaphorical extension of the literal parts. Because understanding requires mapping the earthquake sense onto the idea of change (a common cross-linguistic metaphor) it is predictable but still metaphorical rather than strictly compositional.

Etymology

The phrase seismic shift comes from earthquakes: seismic means the shaking of the ground and shift is a sudden movement of land. So it is used to describe 'a sudden, big change' in ideas, politics, or business.