1 B1 neutral
To move to a higher gear in a vehicle with manual transmission, usually when accelerating.
"Once you reach 30 mph, change up to third gear for a smoother ride."
inseparable
change up
B1 informal inseparable transitive/intransitive
To shift to a higher gear when driving; or to vary or alter something to make it different.
In plain English
To move to a bigger gear in a car, or to try something different or new.
What does "change up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To alter or vary something, especially a routine or strategy, to make it more effective or interesting.
"The coach decided to change up the team's formation after three straight losses."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To change gear upward (to a higher number) when driving.
Actually means
To move to a bigger gear in a car, or to try something different or new.
Usage tip
Has two main senses: (1) the driving sense (British English, shift to a higher gear) and (2) an informal sense meaning to vary or alter something, increasingly common in American English and spreading globally. The informal sense is especially common in sports commentary.
Words that pair with "change up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
gear speed routine strategy game style
How to conjugate "change up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
change up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
changes up
he/she/it
Past simple
changed up
yesterday
Past participle
changed up
have + pp
-ing form
changing up
continuous
Hear "change up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "change up"
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