1. To shift a motor vehicle into a lower gear.2. To reduce the speed, rate, or intensity of something.3. To simplify or reduce one's expectations or commitments, especially in work hours.4. To shift (a motor vehicle) into a lower gear.5. To reduce in speed, rate, or intensity.6. To simplify or reduce one's commitments in (one's life).7. A change from a financially rewarding but stressful career to a less well paid but more fulfilling one.8. A change to a lower gear in a car or bicycle
{f} shift a car into a lower gear; reduce the speed of something; change lifestyle from a stressful job that pays very highly to a job that makes quality of life better in other ways (such as spirituality, health etc., and not focused on on wealth or money)
If someone downshifts, they leave a job that is well-paid but stressful for a less demanding job and a more enjoyable way of life. Lynda now sees many of her clients downshifting in search of a new way of living. @ downshifting down·shift·ing The latest lifestyle trend is downshifting. + downshifter downshifters down·shifter Downshifters are being tempted to leave the sophisticated city and go simple