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downshift
(-s̸hift′)
intransitive verb
to shift the transmission of a motor vehicle to a lower gear or arrangement
noun
an instance of shifting gears in this way
See downshift in American Heritage Dictionary 4
verb down·shift·ed, down·shift·ing, down·shifts verb, intransitive
- To shift a motor vehicle into a lower gear.
- To reduce the speed, rate, or intensity of something.
- 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).
- To shift (a motor vehicle) into a lower gear.
- To reduce in speed, rate, or intensity: “The president is downshifting his confrontational rhetoric and reaffirming his readiness to talk arms control” (Newsweek).
- To simplify or reduce one's commitments in (one's life).
Related Forms:
- downˈshiftˌ noun
- downˈshiftˌer noun
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