to change direction

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   to start moving or developing along a different line from the one before.

   Grammar: Used as a verb phrase; the subject is the thing that moves or develops differently, and no object is needed.

   Patterns

   • something changes direction
   • change direction from something to something
   • change direction toward something

   The road changes direction sharply after the bridge.

   Public opinion changed direction once the report was published.

   The bird changed direction and flew back toward the trees.

2. 2phraseidiom

   to turn an activity, plan, or organization toward a new aim or method.

   Grammar: Often used about companies, careers, or policies; a person or group is the subject that makes the change.

   Patterns

   • change direction in something
   • change direction toward something
   • decide to change direction

   After poor sales, the company changed direction and focused on software.

   She changed direction in her career and became a teacher.

   The team changed direction in the second half and attacked more.

Common combinations

change direction suddenly

The car changed direction suddenly to avoid the dog.

change direction completely

The project changed direction completely after the new manager arrived.

change direction in life

He changed direction in life after volunteering abroad.

the wind changes direction

When the wind changes direction, the sailors adjust the sails.

change direction of travel

The storm changed the direction of travel for many flights.

Synonyms and how they differ

turn

Turn is more physical and often suggests a single movement around a point; change direction can also describe plans or trends.

shift

Shift often suggests a smaller or gradual move, and is common with abstract things like focus or opinion.

veer

Veer means to change direction suddenly or sharply, usually for vehicles or wind; it is narrower than change direction.

Opposites

Word family

direction noun

the line or path along which someone or something moves or faces.

directional adjective

relating to the direction in which something moves or points.

Commonly confused: to change direction or change directions?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “to change direction”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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