1shift 
/ˈʃɪft/ verb
shifts; shift·ed; shift·ing /ˈʃɪft/ verb 1 : to move or to cause (something or someone) to move to a different place, position, etc. [+ obj] ▪ I shifted the bag to my other shoulder. ▪ She shifted her position slightly so she could see the stage better. ▪ I shifted [=turned] my gaze toward the horizon. ▪ They shifted him to a different department. [no obj] ▪ The wind shifted. ▪ He nervously shifted from foot to foot. ▪ She shifted in her seat. ▪ The population is shifting [=moving] away from the city. 2 : to change or to cause (something) to change to a different opinion, belief, etc. [no obj] ▪ Public opinion has shifted dramatically in recent months. [+ obj] ▪ Their efforts to shift public opinion have failed. ▪ She refused to shift her ground. [=she refused to change her opinion] 3 : to go or to cause (something) to go from one person or thing to another [+ obj] ▪ I wanted to shift the discussion back to the main point. ▪ They tried to shift the blame onto/to us. ▪ Their attempts at shifting attention away from the controversy seemed to be working. ▪ The mayor plans to shift some resources to the development project. [no obj] ▪ The focus of the debate quickly shifted to more controversial topics. ▪ shifting alliances/demands/patterns 4 US : to change the gear you are using in a vehicle [no obj] ▪ She shifted into first gear. ▪ I hear a loud noise when the car shifts. [+ obj] ▪ She shifted the car into low gear. — see also downshift, upshift, shift gears at 1gear 5 [+ obj] Brit, informal : to get rid of (something)
▪ I can't seem to shift this cold. ▪ This detergent will shift even the most stubborn stains.
▪ I can't seem to shift this cold. ▪ This detergent will shift even the most stubborn stains.
shift for yourself
: to do things without help from others
▪ She left them to shift for themselves. [=fend for themselves]
▪ She left them to shift for themselves. [=fend for themselves]
shifting sands — see 1sand
shift the goalposts — see goalpost
shift yourself
Brit, informal : to move quickly : hurry
▪ We need to shift ourselves [=get moving] if we're going to make it home before dark.
▪ We need to shift ourselves [=get moving] if we're going to make it home before dark.
