Search Results

Entry Found...


1gear Listen to audio/ˈgiɚ/ noun
plural gears
1 [noncount] a : supplies, tools, or clothes needed for a special purpose
fishing gear I somehow managed to pack all my gear into one suitcase. soldiers in full combat gear wearing protective gear rain gear [=waterproof clothes worn in the rain]see also footgear, headgear, landing gear
b informal : clothes
She wears trendy gear.
2 a [count] : a toothed wheel in a machine
a complicated arrangement of gears and shafts
b : a part that connects the engine of a vehicle or the pedals of a bicycle to the wheels and controls the speed at which the wheels turn [count] a car with four forward gears [noncount] Halfway up the hill, my bike slipped out of gear. He put the car in/into gear [=he moved the lever that controls the car's gears into the position that allows the car to begin moving] and drove away. (US) She shifted into low/high gear. = (Brit) She changed into bottom/top gear. [=she changed to a gear that allows for a slower/faster rate of speed]see also reverse gear
change/shift/switch gears (US) or Brit change gear
: to move from one level or area of activity to another
He once again changed gears in his career. She's decided to shift gears, quit her job, and go back to school.
get in gear or get (something) in gear
informal : to start working or doing something in a more energetic and effective way
We need to get in gear [=get going] if we want to finish this project on time. She finally got her career in gear. [=finally started to be successful in her career] (US, informal + impolite) He angrily told him to get his ass in gear. [=to get going, to start moving or doing something much more quickly]
in/into high gearsee high gear
gears

Link to this page:

Learner's Dictionary App

Voice Search, Examples, Synonyms, Word of the Day & More

For iPhone | For iPad

"Words in the News" Quiz

Useful words from recent stories

Take it now »

Join Us on FB & Twitter

Get the Word of the Day & More

Facebook | Twitter

Browse the Learner's Dictionary

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z