1 B1 neutral
To select a lower gear in a vehicle with a manual transmission, typically when slowing down or approaching a hazard.
"You need to change down before you reach the sharp bend, not during it."
inseparable
change down
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To move to a lower gear when driving a vehicle.
In plain English
To switch to a smaller gear in a car, usually because you're slowing down or going uphill.
What does "change down" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To change the gear selection downward to a numerically lower gear.
Actually means
To switch to a smaller gear in a car, usually because you're slowing down or going uphill.
Usage tip
Primarily British English. American English prefers 'downshift' or 'gear down'. Used in the context of driving manual (stick-shift) vehicles. Less relevant as automatic transmissions become more common.
Words that pair with "change down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
gear corner hill junction roundabout speed
How to conjugate "change down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
change down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
changes down
he/she/it
Past simple
changed down
yesterday
Past participle
changed down
have + pp
-ing form
changing down
continuous
Hear "change down" in the wild
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Other ways to say "change down"
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