gear down
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To shift to a lower gear in a manual-transmission car.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “gear down” mean?
To arrange a system of gear wheels or pulleys etc such that the driven part rotates or moves slower than the driving part.
Is “gear down” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.