SHIFT Meaning and
Definition
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Shift can be defined as a noun or a verb and has multiple meanings depending on the context. As a noun, it refers to a slight or significant change in position, direction, or emphasis. It can also signify a period of work, especially one that starts at a different time from others. Moreover, it can denote a group of workers who work together for a particular period, often as part of a roster system.
As a verb, shift means to move or transfer something from one place, position, or person to another. It can also indicate the act of changing position, direction, or emphasis. Additionally, it can imply a change in thinking, attitude, or opinion.
In a broader sense, shift can describe a movement, transformation, or alteration in various aspects such as power dynamics, focus, methods, or strategies. For example, a societal shift refers to a significant change in the norms, values, or structure of a particular society.
Furthermore, shift can be used metaphorically to represent a change in gears, as in a car, or in the rhythm or beat in music. In relation to technology, it can indicate a key on a keyboard that, when pressed, allows access to other symbols or options.
Overall, shift encompasses the ideas of change, movement, adaptation, and repositioning, whether it be in a physical, temporal, conceptual, or metaphorical sense.
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• An expedient; something tried when another fails; last resource; artifice; an evasion; a woman's under garment; the period during which the labourer works at a single stretch, hence the change of workmen at the expiration of the proper time.
• To alter; to change; to change clothes; to transfer from one to another; to remove; to resort to expedients for a livelihood, or to accomplish a purpose.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for SHIFT *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for SHIFT
Etymology of SHIFT
The word shift originated from the Old English word sciftan, which means to divide or to apportion. It later evolved into Middle English as shiften, retaining similar meanings related to changing or changing something's position. Over time, it also gained the meaning of a change in control or responsibility. The word ultimately comes from the Proto-Germanic word skiftijanan, meaning to divide or to go from one to another.
Idioms with the word SHIFT
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shift yourself
The idiom "shift yourself" is typically used as an informal way of telling someone to move or make progress more quickly. It is often used to prompt someone into action or to hurry them up.
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the graveyard shift
The idiom "the graveyard shift" refers to a work shift that typically takes place late at night or during the early hours of the morning, typically starting around midnight and ending in the early morning hours. It is called the graveyard shift because it is often associated with jobs that are performed when most people are asleep, resembling the quiet and stillness of a graveyard during those hours.
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shift for oneself
The idiom "shift for oneself" means to rely on oneself, especially in difficult or challenging situations, without any external help or support. It refers to the ability to manage and cope with one's own affairs independently and effectively.
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fend for oneself Go to shift for
The idiom "fend for oneself" or "shift for oneself" means to take care of or provide for oneself independently, without relying on help or support from others. It implies a sense of self-reliance, resilience, and independence in handling one's own needs and survival.
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shift gears
The idiom "shift gears" means to change focus or direction, typically in one's thoughts, actions, or activities. It can also refer to changing pace or intensity in a situation.
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stick shift
The idiom "stick shift" refers to a manual transmission in a vehicle. It is commonly used to describe cars that have a gearshift lever, usually a stick-shaped lever, which the driver must manually operate to shift gears.
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graveyard shift
The idiom "graveyard shift" refers to a work shift that typically takes place during the late hours of the night, often extending into the early morning. It is called a "graveyard shift" due to the quiet and peaceful nature of a graveyard during those hours.
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move/shift your arse!
The idiom "move/shift your arse!" is an informal and often blunt expression that is used to tell someone to hurry up or move quickly. It is an emphatic and sometimes vulgar way of urging someone to take action promptly and with a sense of urgency.
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shift ground
The idiom "shift ground" refers to changing or altering one's position or opinion on a certain matter, often as a result of new information or circumstances. It implies a significant change in viewpoint or stance.
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shift one's ground
The idiom "shift one's ground" means to change one's opinion, stance, or position on a particular issue or topic, especially during a debate or argument. It refers to altering one's original viewpoint or position and adopting a different one.
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make shift
The idiom "make shift" refers to making do or improvising with whatever resources or materials are available at the moment to achieve a temporary or makeshift solution in a situation where the ideal or desired resources are not accessible or unavailable.
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shift (one's) arse
The idiom "shift (one's) arse" is an informal and often vulgar expression. It means to make an effort or put in physical or mental exertion to accomplish something. Essentially, it is used to urge someone to move quickly or work harder.
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shift (your) ground
The idiom "shift (your) ground" refers to changing or altering one's position, opinion, or stance on a particular topic or issue, especially during a discussion or debate. It implies a change of viewpoint or perspective in response to new information, evidence, or arguments presented.
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move (or shift) the goalposts
To change the rules or conditions of a situation or agreement in order to make it more difficult to succeed or achieve a goal.
Similar spelling words for SHIFT
Conjugate verb Shift
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have shifted
you
would have shifted
he/she/it
would have shifted
we
would have shifted
they
would have shifted
I
would have shift
you
would have shift
he/she/it
would have shift
we
would have shift
they
would have shift
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been shifting
you
would have been shifting
he/she/it
would have been shifting
we
would have been shifting
they
would have been shifting
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would shift
you
would shift
he/she/it
would shift
we
would shift
they
would shift
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be shifting
you
would be shifting
he/she/it
would be shifting
we
would be shifting
they
would be shifting
FUTURE
I
will shift
you
will shift
he/she/it
will shift
we
will shift
they
will shift
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be shifting
you
will be shifting
he/she/it
will be shifting
we
will be shifting
they
will be shifting
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have shifted
you
will have shifted
he/she/it
will have shifted
we
will have shifted
they
will have shifted
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been shifting
you
will have been shifting
he/she/it
will have been shifting
we
will have been shifting
they
will have been shifting
IMPERATIVE
you
shift
we
let´s shift
to shift
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was shifting
you
were shifting
he/she/it
was shifting
we
were shifting
they
were shifting
PAST PARTICIPLE
shifted
PAST PERFECT
I
had shifted
you
had shifted
he/she/it
had shifted
we
had shifted
they
had shifted
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been shifting
you
had been shifting
he/she/it
had been shifting
we
had been shifting
they
had been shifting
PRESENT
I
shift
you
shift
he/she/it
shifts
we
shift
they
shift
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am shifting
you
are shifting
he/she/it
is shifting
we
are shifting
they
are shifting
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
shifting
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have shifted
you
have shifted
he/she/it
has shifted
we
have shifted
they
have shifted
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been shifting
you
have been shifting
he/she/it
has been shifting
we
have been shifting
they
have been shifting
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
shift
SIMPLE PAST
I
shifted
you
shifted
he/she/it
shifted
we
shifted
they
shifted
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