shift (redirected from shifts)

the graveyard shift

a period of time late at night, when people have to work, often in hospitals or factories. I'm working the graveyard shift this week.

Move/Shift your arse! (very informal!)

something that you say to tell someone to hurry or to get out of your way. Shift your arse! We're late.

See also: arse, move

shift your ground

if you shift your ground in an argument or a discussion, you start to express a different opinion. He's impossible to argue with because he keeps shifting his ground.

See also: ground

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shift 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