- （常作 gears）a set of toothed wheels that work together to alter the relation between the speed of a driving mechanism (such as the engine of a vehicle or the pedals of a bicycle) and the speed of the driven parts (the wheels)齿轮; 变速装置。
- a particular function or state of adjustment of engaged gears（汽车等的）排挡：
he was belting along in fifth gear.
他挂在第五挡一路飞驰。
- used in reference to the level of effort or intensity expended in an activity or undertaking努力程度, 工作强度：
from this weekend, the campaign is expected to step up a gear
从本周末起, 这项运动有望增加力度
now the champions moved up a gear.
现在冠军们更加卖力了。
- mass noun informal equipment that is used for a particular purpose〈非正式〉（用于特定目的的）设备。
- clothing, especially of a specified kind（特种）服装：
designer gear.
名牌服装。
- a person's personal possessions and clothes（个人）财物, 衣物。
- illegal drugs非法药品。
- design or adjust the gears in a machine to give a specified speed or power output使变速; 使调挡：
it's geared too high for serious off-road use.
挡挂得太高, 不宜在路况不好的野外行驶。
change（或switch或shift）gear
- adopt a different approach to a situation or task改变方法：
from February 1942, British air strategy changed gear.
从1942年2月起, 英国开始改变其空中战略。
in （或into） gear
- with a gear engaged齿轮连上, 已啮合：
the captain revved the engines and put them in gear
机长加快发动机转速, 使其进入工作状态
figurative 〈喻〉I've got to get my act in gear.
我得采取行动了。
- proceeding with energy, determination, or speed精神饱满的; 进入（兴奋）状态的：
I couldn't get myself into gear early enough on Saturday morning.
周六早晨我无法很早就打起精神。
move up a gear
- change to a higher gear换挡提速。
- figurative put more energy or effort into an activity〈喻〉投入更多精力; 作出更大努力：
now the champions moved up a gear.
这些冠军付出了更大的努力。
out of gear
- with no gear engaged齿轮脱开, 不啮合：
she took the engine out of gear
她将引擎停下
figurative 〈喻〉sometimes his brain seems to slip out of gear.
有时候, 他的脑袋好像不听使唤。
gear down （或 up）
- change to a lower (or higher) gear换低速（或高速）挡。
gear someone/thing for
- make ready or prepared使做好准备：
a nation geared for war.
进入备战状态的国家。
gear something for/to/towards
- adjust or adapt something to make it suitable for (someone or something)（为适应某人或某事）对（某物）进行调整（或改造）。
gear up
- equip or prepare oneself装备好; 准备好：
the region started to gear up for the tourist season.
这个地区开始为旅游季节的到来做准备。
- change to a higher gear换高挡。
- (of a company) increase its borrowings（公司）增加借款。
gear someone/thing up
- equip someone or something for a particular purpose（为特定目的）装备（某人, 某物）：
a city not geared up to an outdoor lifestyle.
一个还没有为户外生活方式做好准备的城市。