switch gears

switch gears

To quickly or abruptly change what one is doing or discussing. With that out of the way, let's switch gears and discuss our strategy for the third quarter. About halfway into the story, the book switches gears and begins a narrative from the perspective of the antagonist.
See also: gear, switch
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • shift gears
  • snap back
  • abortive action
  • up and
  • up and (do something)
  • up and did
  • up and leave, go, etc.
  • defence
  • bring (one) up with a start
  • bring (one) up sharply
References in periodicals archive
Summary: New Delhi [India], July 27 (ANI): Fast-moving electrical goods (FMEG) manufacturer Havells India on Saturday reported a 16 per cent decline in its profit to Rs 177 crore during the first fiscal quarter ended June due to sluggish growth key segments like cables, lighting, and switch gears.
The best way to switch gears is to give your opponents the image that you're unpredictable.
Our reviewer, Mary Love Hodges, observed that, "in a desperate attempt to keep the overstimulation going, performers switch gears from violence to sex to vanity to voyeurism." However uncomfortable Driscoll makes the audience, she comes by it naturally.
These songs are grubby, fast-paced and unapologetic - songs that shout at the devil and curse apathetic "social zombies" in one fell swoop, then switch gears into blues-driven rockers such as the cathartic "You Can't Be Saved."
VERDICT Trouble At Bay can sometimes race lazily and good ground invariably helps him when he needs to switch gears. As a result, I'm not so sure soft ground is going to permit him to run up to his best and I'm keen to oppose him with the Venetia Williams-trained Chief Yeoman, who will go well if taking to the fences on his chasing debut and is in receipt of a handy 6lb from Alan King's novice.
Paddle shifters on the steering wheel can be used to switch gears manually on automatic-equipped cars.
Edney initiated the robbery by pointing a pistol at Newton's head and taking the keys to Newton's SUV, but when Edney reached down "to switch gears with his gun hand," Newton saw his chance.
Strategic buyers should be able to achieve their objectives and not abandon them or switch gears just to get the deal done.
In her article, Melanie notes that when marketers are faced with a declining birth rate, they often switch gears and start marketing their line for the entire family.
It's a chance to switch gears and do something a little different.
According to Anita Favaro of American Contex, the 9,000 hp wound rotor motors, with starters and switch gears, will drive super-sized shredders at the Huge Neu Schnitzer facilities.
BIBR: Is it difficult for you to switch gears from one genre to another?
Victoria Transport Policy Institute www.vtpi.org If you are looking to switch gears and get to a Web site that offers a different take on transportation issues, make VTPI your next destination.
One way I get my second grade class to switch gears is to count down a freeze.