downshift

down·shift  (dounshft)

v. down·shift·ed, down·shift·ing, down·shifts

v.intr.

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).

v.tr.

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).

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downshift n.

downshifter n.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	downshift - a change from a financially rewarding but stressful career to a less well paid but more fulfilling one change - the action of changing something; "the change of government had no impact on the economy"; "his change on abortion cost him the election"
	2.	downshift - a change to a lower gear in a car or bicycle change - the action of changing something; "the change of government had no impact on the economy"; "his change on abortion cost him the election"