Topic: MOTOR VEHICLES
 |
| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | sciftan 'to divide, arrange' |
| |||||||||
shift1 W3
1
move
a) [intransitive and transitive] to move from one place or position to another, or make something do this : Joe listened, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to another. She shifted her gaze from me to Bobby.
Joe listened, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to another.She shifted her gaze from me to Bobby.b) [transitive] British English informal to move something, especially by picking it up and carrying it : Give me a hand to shift these chairs.
Give me a hand to shift these chairs.2 to change a situation, discussion etc by giving special attention to one idea or subject instead of to a previous one
change attention
[transitive] shift something away/onto/from etc The White House hopes to shift the media's attention away from foreign policy issues.
The White House hopes to shift the media's attention away from foreign policy issues. shifts attention/emphasis/focus In this stage of a rape case, the focus often shifts onto the victim and her conduct.
In this stage of a rape case, the focus often shifts onto the victim and her conduct. shift gear American English (=change what you are doing) It's hard to shift gear when you come home after a busy day at work.
It's hard to shift gear when you come home after a busy day at work.3 if someone's opinions, beliefs etc shift, they change : Public opinion was beginning to shift to the right (=become more right-wing). shifting attitudes towards marriage
change opinion
[intransitive and transitive]Public opinion was beginning to shift to the right (=become more right-wing).shifting attitudes towards marriage4 to make someone else responsible for something, especially for something bad that has happened : It was a clear attempt to shift the responsibility for the crime onto the victim.
shift the blame/responsibility (onto somebody)
It was a clear attempt to shift the responsibility for the crime onto the victim.5 to change the way that money is paid or spent : the need to shift more resources towards reducing poverty
costs/spending
[transitive always + adverb/preposition]BFthe need to shift more resources towards reducing poverty6 to remove dirt or marks from a surface or piece of clothing :
dirt/marks
[transitive] British English7 to change the gears when you are driving [= change British English] I shifted into second gear.
in a car
[intransitive and transitive] especially American EnglishTTCI shifted into second gear.8 to sell a product, especially a lot of it : The store shifted over 1,000 copies of the book last week.
sell
[transitive] British English informalThe store shifted over 1,000 copies of the book last week.