shift gears
Switch your strategy
To shift gears is to change from one gear to another in a vehicle with a manual transmission.
Figuratively, it means to change approach, topic, or pace: Let's shift gears and talk about the budget.
The expression suggests a deliberate transition requiring adjustment, like moving from casual discussion to serious business.
Point of rotation
- refocusRedirect one's attention
- redirectSend in new direction
- switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
- change courseModify one's trajectory
adapt · adjust · reorient · recalibrate · move on · change tack · segue · reset
Mechanism linking engine to gearbox
- transmissionSending of information
- gearboxEnclosed system of cogs
- neutralNot favoring any side
- manualWritten instructions for use
automatic · drivetrain · differential · synchronize · engage · disengage · lever · linkage
Increase velocity or rate
- slow downReduce pace or speed
- accelerateIncrease in velocity
- decelerateReduce velocity
- intensityStrength or force level
Evaluate again differently
- reconsiderThink about something anew
- reassessEvaluate a second time
- replanDevise a new strategy
- new approachNovel method or strategy
step back · reconfigure · gameplan · maneuver · repositioning
pivot
Point of rotation
change course · adapt · adjust · reorient · recalibrate · move on · change tack · segue · reset · regroup
clutch
Mechanism linking engine to gearbox
- transmissionSending of information
- gearboxEnclosed system of cogs
- neutralNot favoring any side
manual · automatic · drivetrain · differential · synchronize · engage · disengage · lever · linkage · ratios
speed up
Increase velocity or rate
- slow downReduce pace or speed
- accelerateIncrease in velocity
- decelerateReduce velocity
intensity · pace · ramp up · wind down · ease off · second wind · surge
rethink
Evaluate again differently
- reconsiderThink about something anew
- reassessEvaluate a second time
- replanDevise a new strategy
new approach · step back · reconfigure · gameplan · maneuver · repositioning
- travel idiomshit the road, in the same boat, miss the boat, end of the road, crossroads
- drivingdrive, steering, driver, acceleration, motorist
- accelerationaccelerate, acceleration, accelerating, speed up, speeding up
- adaptabilityadapt, flexibility, resilience, adaptability, pliability
- changechange, flux, transformation, metamorphosis, alteration
- momentumbuilding momentum, gain traction, gaining traction, gaining steam, gather steam
shift gearsstay the course
Continue despite difficulties
keep going · stick with it · press on · soldier on · carry on
shift gearsstay put
Remain in place
stagnate · coast · idle · tread water · stand still
shift, shifted, shifting, gears, shifts, gearshift, shifter, downshift, upshift