mean of sentence

[shinem]

Hello, what's this sentence mean? It's phone conversation between two men...

'I could almost hear the changing of gears.'

[billmcd]

Hello, what's this sentence mean? It's phone conversation between two men...

'I could almost hear the changing of gears.'

I think we need more of the surrounding conversation, particularly to determine if the term, "changing etc." is figurative or literal.

[shinem]

Ok, he's talking with a police. Is this clear now or should I tell more about the part?


“Maybe I got time off for good behaviour. Anyway, I was luckier than her, wasn’t I?” I enjoyed the pause that followed. I could almost hear the changing of gears.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. We had to see how much you knew, or remembered.'

[billmcd]

Ok, he's talking with a police. Is this clear now or should I tell more about the part?


“Maybe I got time off for good behaviour. Anyway, I was luckier than her, wasn’t I?” I enjoyed the pause that followed. I could almost hear the changing of gears.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. We had to see how much you knew, or remembered.'

First, its not a common expression in the context provided. Second, "changing of gears" can refer to a mechanical action in, for example, an automobile that shifts from one gear to another as in forward to reverse. So, my guess is that the use in your post is a reference to the suspect's or prisoner's change (or shift) in his story or attitude.

[shinem]

So can I translate the meaning as 'I can feel that he'll act different' or 'I can see that he'll change his attitude' ? Did I understand you right? I'm not native speaker so trying translating a text to Turkish. If I have the right meaning it'll be ok for me.

[billmcd]

So can I translate the meaning as 'I can feel that he'll act different' or 'I can see that he'll change his attitude' ? Did I understand you right? I'm not native speaker so trying translating a text to Turkish. If I have the right meaning it'll be ok for me.

Yes, that would be my understanding.

[shinem]

Thank you very much :)