Dictionary

upgear en · VERB

Etymology

From up- + gear.

Meanings

1. (ambitransitive) To shift to a higher gear
   • The air-cooled two-cylinder engine is less obtrusive than one might expect, thanks to vacuum control which automatically upgears the car and holds down the speed of the 746-cc engine. 1961, Car & Driver, volume 7, page 91:
2. (broadly) To shift to a higher level or standard; upgrade
   • Cam will help but you'd need to upgear a tire size to capitalize on it. 1981, Popular Science, volume 219, number 5, page 66:
3. (figuratively) To move to an elevated level of activity, performance, or intensity
   • She says it clearly, carefully and very deliberately, recalling a time when their gigs are already upgearing to concerts and benefits organised by Bill Graham, for whom Airplane become regulars of the Fillmore […] 2001, Andrew Darlington, I was Elvis Presley's Bastard Love-child:
   • The vicious cycle of repression was upgeared and intensified. 1987, Jasawanta Siṅgha Kam̆wala, The Other Zafarnamah:

Forms

Relateds

gear up