Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

downshift

verb

/ˈdaʊnˌʃɪft/

Definition

To change to a lower gear in a vehicle or to change one’s lifestyle to a simpler or less stressful state.

Examples

After years of working overtime, she decided to downshift and spend more time with her family.
The driver downshifted to navigate the steep hill safely.

Meaning

Downshifting can refer both to driving, where a driver shifts to a lower gear to gain more control or reduce speed, and to life choices, where someone opts for a more relaxed pace or reduced commitments.