upshift

American  

[uhp-shift] / ˈʌpˌʃɪft /

verb (used without object)

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

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verb (used with object)

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

noun

1. an act or instance of upshifting.

Etymology

Origin of upshift

First recorded in 1950–55; up- + shift

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

upshift

During another pass, I was even able to upshift from 2nd to third gear without losing the drift, swinging wide at the track edge, trailing clouds of glory.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

Verstappen revealed that he had a double upshift on his lap and had also failed to open the DRS overtaking aid on the run to the line, both of which would have cost time.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2021

It's a nice upshift that adds nuance to combat, though you wouldn't mistake it for the depth of a tactical RPG like Fire Emblem.

From Time ● Oct. 16, 2017

The automatic transmission tended to upshift quickly in city traffic, which helped to maximize fuel economy but didn’t always provide strident V-8 power, and the test-driven model averaged 18.3 miles per gallon in city/highway driving.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 7, 2016

To hear Mr. Lawrence upshift through his improvisations, honoring a song’s rhythm and harmony and then breaking free of it, is one of jazz’s current thrills, and he understands this music as well as anyone.

From New York Times ● Dec. 6, 2014