Change down – English Phrasal Verb – Online English Lessons

To change down is move the gear lever in order to change to a lower gear in a motor vehicle.

British and Australian English.

US English:

downshift (verb)

Examples of use:

1. I changed down to third gear to go up the hill.

2. Change down to second gear.

3. My car has a fault. When I change down to third gear the gear lever gets stuck.

infinitive change down
present simple change down and changes down
-ing form changing down
past simple changed down
past participle changed down

To change up is to change to a higher gear.

Image © Ed Callow