to shift into fourth gear

5.8

To start working faster and try harder to reach a goal

phrasal verb
/ʃɪft ˈɪntu fɔrθ ɡɪr/

: aumentar la velocidad

As the deadline approached, the team had to shift into fourth gear to finish the project on time.

Examples

After a slow start, the company shifted into fourth gear to meet their ambitious sales targets.
Once the race started, she quickly shifted into fourth gear and passed several competitors.
Let's shift into fourth gear!
It's time to shift into fourth gear!
After a slow start, the company shifted into fourth gear to meet their ambitious sales targets.
As the deadline approached, the team had to shift into fourth gear to finish the project on time.
Once the race started, she quickly shifted into fourth gear and passed several competitors.

Synonyms

to step up

vsto shift into fourth gear

74 3.4

Make something greater in amount, speed or strength

is a stronger mechanical image of speeding up after steady effort

to shift gears

vsto shift into fourth gear

10 3.9

To change what you are doing to fit a new situation

is specifically increasing intensity after steady effort rather than changing approach

to gain speed

vsto shift into fourth gear

3 2.5

To start moving faster

focuses on rate increase rather than deliberate rise after steady effort

to get in gear

vsto shift into fourth gear

Informal

3 4.2

Start working more actively and getting more done

is a more gradual or later increase of intensity after initial steady effort

to get one's ass in gear

vsto shift into fourth gear

Offensive

2 9.9

Start working quickly and with more energy

is the same increase but expressed without vulgar urgency or crude tone

to go into high gear

vsto shift into fourth gear

1 4.4

To start working faster and harder

is the same idea but emphasizes gradual buildup to high intensity

to hit the accelerator

vsto shift into fourth gear

Informal

1 4.4

To try harder or work faster to reach a goal

is about steady rise to higher intensity not only a sudden push

to upshift

vsto shift into fourth gear

1 4.6

To change to a higher gear in a vehicle to go faster or use less fuel

is a figurative increase in intensity after steady effort

to find another gear

vsto shift into fourth gear

Informal

1 6.8

To work harder or faster when facing a challenge

is about increasing speed after steady effort rather than reacting to challenge

to rev up

vsto shift into fourth gear

Informal

1 5.1

To make a car or motorcycle engine run faster

is a metaphorical or gradual speed increase rather than only rpm rise

to push into overdrive

vsto shift into fourth gear

6.1

To work much harder and faster to get something done

is a milder, specific increase rather than extreme maximum effort

to click into gear

vsto shift into fourth gear

Informal

4.2

To start working well and fast after a slow time

is about increasing intensity after steady effort not simply starting to work

Antonyms

to slow down

687 1.4

To move or act more slowly

How Intense

to go all out

39 4.1

to shift into fourth gear

5.8

to step up

74 3.4

to pick up the pace

23 4.0

Surface Forms

shift into fourth gear infinitive

shifted into fourth gear past

shifted into fourth gear past participle

shifting into fourth gear present participle

shifts into fourth gear third person singular

Morphology

shift + into + fourth + gear

The meaning 'to increase speed or intensity' is directly derivable from combining 'shift' (change gears), 'into' (change into a state), and 'fourth gear' (a higher gear associated with greater speed); the phrase is a straightforward vehicle-to-activity metaphor built from its parts. This compositional pattern (change to a higher gear → go faster) is common and therefore likely accessible to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Shift into fourth gear comes from driving: when a driver moves the gear stick into a higher gear like fourth, the car can go faster. So, to shift into fourth gear means 'to increase speed or effort' in work or activity.