Summary
Highlights
To 'shift gears' means to suddenly stop what you are doing and do something else. An example given is a professor lecturing about American history before 'shifting gears' to talk about European history. Another example is a company 'shifting gears' on its product line to make products more affordable during a recession.
'The genuine article' refers to the original, authentic thing or person. For instance, a friend buying a cheap Rolex is questioned if it's 'the genuine article.' It can also describe a person, like a new boss who is praised as 'the genuine article' for being a great and authentic leader.
To 'have a go at something' means to attempt or undertake something, usually new to you. An example is someone who has never changed car oil decides to 'have a go at it' after watching a YouTube video. Another example is Kathy, who, despite never cooking, 'had a go at' baking a cake for a birthday, which turned out delicious.
To 'tail off' means to dwindle, diminish, or fade away. This is illustrated by a historic city where tourist numbers 'tail off' in the fall after being busy in the summer. Another example describes a company's profits 'tailing off' due to a bad economy.
To 'go into a tailspin' means to worsen very quickly. An attorney's career 'went into a tailspin' after losing a big case, making it hard to get new clients. Also, a company's stock prices 'went into a tailspin' and it went bankrupt after the owner suddenly resigned.