downshift

down·shift

 (doun′shĭft′)

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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down′shift′ n.

down′shift′er n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

downshift

(ˈdaʊnˌʃɪft)

vb (intr)

1. (Automotive Engineering) US to change into a lower gear

2. Brit to change to a lower-paid job for the sake of a better quality of life

3. (Sociology) Brit to change to a lower-paid job for the sake of a better quality of life

n

4. a downward movement; a reduction

5. (Automotive Engineering) US a change into a lower gear

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

down•shift

(ˈdaʊnˌʃɪft)

v.i.

1. to shift an automotive transmission or vehicle into a lower gear.

2. to slow down.

[1950–55]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

downshift

Past participle: downshifted
Gerund: downshifting

Imperative

downshift

downshift

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

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"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.