gears up
Readies for action
Gears up means to prepare or get ready for something, especially something demanding or challenging: The team is gearing up for the championship.
The image comes from machinery—engaging gears to increase power or speed.
It suggests active, purposeful preparation rather than passive waiting: Retailers are gearing up for the holiday shopping season.
- readyingMaking prepared beforehand
- getting readyPreparation before an event
- launchingSetting something in motion
- revving upIncreasing engine speed
- mobilizingAssembling for action
suiting up · battle stations · strategizing · game plan · assembling · develops · priming · activating · produces · organizing · coordinating · initiating · staging · mechanisms · machinery · arranging · deploying · preparing
gears upwinds down
Gradually decreases activity
stands down · powers down · shuts down · scales back · unprepares
gears upwinds down
Gradually decreases activity
slows down · decelerates · tapers off · downshifts · throttles down
gears upstands down
Voluntarily leaves a position
backs down · disengages · withdraws · demobilizes · retreats