shift
11 ENTRIES FOUND:
shifts;
shifted;
shifting
shifts;
shifted;
shifting
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHIFT
1
:
to move or to cause (something or someone) to move to a different place, position, etc.
[+ object]
-
I shifted the bag to my other shoulder.
-
She shifted her position slightly so she could see the stage better.
-
I shifted [=turned] my gaze toward the horizon.
-
They shifted him to a different department.
[no object]
-
The wind shifted.
-
He nervously shifted from foot to foot.
-
She shifted in her seat.
-
The population is shifting [=moving] away from the city.
2
:
to change or to cause (something) to change to a different opinion, belief, etc.
[no object]
-
Public opinion has shifted dramatically in recent months.
[+ object]
-
Their efforts to shift public opinion have failed.
-
She refused to shift her ground. [=she refused to change her opinion]
3
:
to go or to cause (something) to go from one person or thing to another
[+ object]
-
I wanted to shift the discussion back to the main point.
-
They tried to shift the blame onto/to us.
-
Their attempts at shifting attention away from the controversy seemed to be working.
-
The mayor plans to shift some resources to the development project.
[no object]
-
The focus of the debate quickly shifted to more controversial topics.
-
shifting alliances/demands/patterns
5
[+ object]
British, informal
:
to get rid of (something)
-
I can't seem to shift this cold.
-
This detergent will shift even the most stubborn stains.
shift for yourself
:
to do things without help from others
-
She left them to shift for themselves. [=fend for themselves]
shifting sands
shift the goalposts
shift yourself
British, informal
:
to move quickly
:
hurry
-
We need to shift ourselves [=get moving] if we're going to make it home before dark.
2
shift
/ˈʃɪft/
noun
plural
shifts
2
shift
/ˈʃɪft/
noun
plural
shifts
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHIFT
[count]
1
a
:
a change in position or direction
— often + in
-
There will be a shift of responsibility when she takes the new position.
-
a shift in the wind
-
unpredictable shifts in weather
-
The shift in leadership will take place at the end of the year.
b
always followed by an adverb or preposition
:
a change in how something is done or how people think about something
-
a shift away from tradition
-
a gradual shift toward more liberal policies
-
a shift in voter opinion
2
a
:
a group of people who work together during a scheduled period of time
-
The day/night shift worked overtime.
-
The restaurant needed only one shift for lunch.
b
:
the scheduled period of time during which a person works
—
see also graveyard shift, swing shift
-
He works the day/night shift.
-
waiters working long shifts
3
4
:
a woman's loose, straight dress
