down|shift

down|shift «DOWN _SHIHFT», verb, noun.

–v.t., v.i.

1. to shift from a higher to a lower gear.

2. to reduce one's consumption: »

From a nationwide cross section of Americans, 28 percent said they had downshifted and had voluntarily cut back on their income (New York Times).

3. Figurative. to adjust to a lower level indicating emotional depth or significance: »

Jaunty cockiness…downshifts to killing dread (Terri Sutton). She downshifts into husky Mittel-European (New York Times).

–n.

a shifting from a higher to a lower gear.