gear down
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To slow down or work less hard, either in a car or in life.
Literal meaning: To move the gear lever to a lower-numbered gear, reducing speed and increasing engine control.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To change to a lower gear in a vehicle to slow down or increase engine control.
"You need to gear down before you reach the steep descent — the brakes alone won't be enough."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To reduce the pace or intensity of one's work or activities.
"After the busy holiday season, the team geared down and focused on planning for the new year."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
In a driving context, it is the literal opposite of 'gear up'. The figurative sense (reducing workload or pace of life) is common in American English. Both senses are widely understood.
Commonly used with
engine hill production operations pace intensity
Forms
Base
gear down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gears down
he/she/it
Past simple
geared down
yesterday
Past participle
geared down
have + pp
-ing form
gearing down
continuous
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Synonyms
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