upgear

present singular third person upgears · participle present upgearing · participle past upgeared · past upgeared · alternative up-gear

1. ambitransitiveautomotiveTo shift to a higher gear

   The air-cooled two-cylinder engine is less obtrusive than one might expect, thanks to vacuum control which automatically upgears the car and holds down the speed of the 746-cc engine.

   1961, Car & Driver, volume 7, page 91

2. broadlyTo shift to a higher level or standard; upgrade

   Cam will help but you'd need to upgear a tire size to capitalize on it.

   1981, Popular Science, volume 219, number 5, page 66

3. figurativelyTo move to an elevated level of activity, performance, or intensity

   The vicious cycle of repression was upgeared and intensified.

   1987, Jasawanta Siṅgha Kam̆wala, The Other Zafarnamah

   1 more example

   She says it clearly, carefully and very deliberately, recalling a time when their gigs are already upgearing to concerts and benefits organised by Bill Graham, for whom Airplane become regulars of the Fillmore […]

   2001, Andrew Darlington, I was Elvis Presley's Bastard Love-child