phrasal verb

gear up

geer UP

Gear up (phrasal verb) means to get ready for something demanding that is about to happen, or to get other people or an organisation ready for it. Example: “Retailers are already gearing up for Christmas.”

phrasal verb

To get ready for something demanding that is about to happen, or to get other people or an organisation ready for it.

"Retailers are already gearing up for Christmas."

"The hospital geared itself up for a surge in admissions."

To put on protective clothing or equipment before an activity.

"The crew geared up and went in through the smoke."

"We geared up at the trailhead — helmets, harnesses, the lot."

British, finance In finance, to increase the proportion of borrowed money used to fund a business or investment.

"The fund geared up heavily before the rates rose."

How to Use Gear up

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo get yourself or something ready for a big effort.

When to use it

Informal to neutral. Almost always followed by for or to: gear up for a launch, gear up to expand.

Memory tip

Do not confuse gear up with geared towards, which means designed or aimed at a particular group.

Easily confused with

gear towards suit up gear down

Common pairings

gear up for gearing up to gear up for the season fully geared up

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Synonyms

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prepare get ready brace psych up mobilise kit up suit up equip leverage up

Antonyms

wind down stand down deleverage

Related Words

support space provide train supply develop pair prepare

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between gear up and prepare?

They mean much the same, but gear up is informal and implies an intense, imminent effort — a season, a launch, a rush. Prepare is neutral and works for anything, including slow or routine readiness.

What is the opposite of gearing up?

In everyday use, winding down or standing down: reducing activity after a busy period. In finance the opposite is deleveraging or gearing down, meaning reducing borrowing relative to equity.

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