◙ noun 1. [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 • （调）挡 »he was belting along in fifth gear. 他挂在第五挡一路飞驰。 2. [mass noun] [informal] equipment that is used for a particular purpose • [非正式] （用于特定目的的）设备 a person's personal possessions and clothes • （个人）财物，衣物 clothing, especially of a specified kind • （特种）服装 »designer gear. 名牌服装。 illegal drugs • 非法药品 ◙ verb 1. [with obj.] 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。
【IDIOMS】
◘ in gear 1. 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。 »I've got to get my act in gear. 我得采取行动了。 ◘ move up a gear 1. 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；采取更大努力 »now the champions moved up a gear. 这些冠军付出了更大的努力。 ◘ out of gear 1. with no gear engaged • 齿轮脱开，不啮合 »she took the engine out of gear. 她将引擎停下。 »sometimes his brain seems to slip out of gear. 有时候，他的脑袋好像不听使唤了。
【语源】
1. Middle English: of Scandinavian origin; compare with Old Norse gervi. Early senses expressed the general meaning 'equipment or apparatus', later 'mechanism': hence sense 1 (early 19th cent.)
【PHR V】
◘ gear down (或 up) 1. change to a lower (or higher) gear • 换低速（或高速）挡 ◘ gear someone for 1. make ready or prepared • 使（某人）做好准备 »a nation geared for war. 全国已经进入备战状态。 ◘ gear something to/towards 1. 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 1. 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。 ◘ gear someone/thing up 1. 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。