to switch gears

[Garson O'Toole]

Victor Steinbok  wrote:
> Not in OED--the straight meaning is directly derivable, so no need for
> it, but the figurative meaning is not. It means "to change attitude,
> approach, direction [abruptly]; to make a different choice, preference"

Merriam-Webster online has information for the related expression
"shift gears" under "shift":

— shift gears
: to make a change

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shift+gears


Victor noted that Dictionary.com does have some information. There is
an idiom entry for "switch gears" under "gear":

gear
Idioms 19. shift / switchgears, to change one's attitude, course of
action, methods, etc., in an abrupt, dramatic, or unexpected manner:
In the middle of the second act the play shifts gears from comedy to
tragedy.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/switch+gears?r=66


The dictionary website thefreedictionary.com has some relevant information:

shift gears also switch gears
to suddenly change what you are doing
I'd like to shift gears now and talk about a personal concern.
Etymology: based on the idea that a vehicle will change speed when you
change gears (machine parts)
See also: gear, shift

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/shift+gears

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