move through the gears: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  UKUSGlobal EnglishneutralliteralMachine
  • To operate a manual-transmission vehicle by shifting sequentially through the gear settings.

  Examples

  Beta

  • He carefully moved through the gears as he drove up the steep hill to avoid stalling.

    He operated the manual transmission by shifting sequentially through the gear settings while driving up the hill.

  • When learning to drive a manual car, you need to practice moving through the gears smoothly.

    When learning to drive a manual car, you need to practice shifting sequentially through the gear settings smoothly.

  • The driver moved through the gears quickly to accelerate on the highway.

    The driver shifted through the gear settings quickly to accelerate on the highway.

  • She was taught how to move through the gears properly during her driving lessons.

    She was taught how to operate the manual transmission properly during her driving lessons.

• 2.

  UKUSGlobal EnglishinformalidiomaticMachine
  • To progress or accelerate gradually from a low to a higher level of activity, intensity, or performance.
  • To move from an initial, tentative stage into a steadier or more effective mode of operation.

  Examples

  Beta

  • After warming up, the band slowly moved through the gears, building up energy before the main song.

    After warming up, the band progressed gradually from a low to higher level of performance before the main song.

  • The athlete moved through the gears as he increased his pace during the run.

    The athlete gradually accelerated from a low to higher intensity during the run.

  • We need to move through the gears carefully to avoid burning out too early in the project.

    We need to progress gradually from a low to higher level of activity to avoid burning out too early.