downshift

[ doun-shift ]

/ ˈdaʊnˌʃɪft /

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verb (used without object)

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

to become less active; slow down: The economy seems to be downshifting.

verb (used with object)

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

noun

an act or instance of downshifting.

Nearby words

downriver, downs, downs, the, downscale, downscale , downshift, downshifting, downside, downsize, downslide, downspin

Origin of downshift

First recorded in 1950–55; down¹ + shift

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for downshift

On schools: keep innovating, increase accountability, but downshift the emphasis on test scores.
Jack Hidary Waits to Make His Push in New York City Mayoral Race|David Freedlander|August 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Howard Kurtz on the downshift—and how Cain is defying political gravity.
'Tired' Cain Campaign Slows Down|Howard Kurtz|October 28, 2011|DAILY BEAST
And this downshift in career ambitions is just as true for the top dogs among us.
I Just Had a Baby, I'll Call You Back|Katty Kay, Claire Shipman|June 2, 2009|DAILY BEAST