downshift

(dounˈshĭftˌ)

1. To shift a motor vehicle into a lower gear.
2. To reduce the speed, rate, or intensity of something.
3. To simplify or reduce one's expectations or commitments, especially in work hours: “28 percent said that they had downshifted and voluntarily cut back on their income in some way … to reflect changes in priorities” (Carey Goldberg).

1. To shift (a motor vehicle) into a lower gear.
2. To reduce in speed, rate, or intensity: “The president is downshifting his confrontational rhetoric and reaffirming his readiness to talk arms control” (Newsweek).
3. To simplify or reduce one's commitments in (one's life).

Related Forms:

• downˈshiftˌ noun

• downˈshiftˌer noun