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change up

British  

verb

  1. (intr, adverb) to select a higher gear when driving

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. baseball an unexpectedly slow ball thrown in order to surprise the batter

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

But the true depth of the Bruins has come from having long guards who can defend and change up what they need to do in any given matchup.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 28, 2026

S&P Dow Jones Indices can change up index components at various times, including quarterly and at its own discretion.

From MarketWatch Mar. 6, 2026

What was most impressive was the change up, then down, the gears, recognising the importance of battling through the tricky twilight period.

From BBC Dec. 4, 2025

Are you looking to change up your image?

From Salon Aug. 9, 2024

If I suggested any change, up would go your chin into the air. 

From Tommy and Co. by Jerome, Jerome K. (Jerome Klapka)

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