to become slower; to work at a slower speed

After several years of strong growth, the laptop market is downshifting to a slower, but hopefully steady, pattern of growth. 经过几年的强劲增长以后，手提电脑市场正在放慢速度，进入一种慢一些但可望更稳定一些的增长状态。

to leave a job that is well paid and difficult in order to do something that gives you more time and satisfaction but less money

to change to a lower gear when driving, to reduce power and speed