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pivot

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpɪvət// UK //pˈɪvət// piv·ot Slang

v. to change your direction or strategy quickly. You use this when a plan isn't working and you need to try a new approach.

v. to change direction or strategy rapidly, often in response to new information or market conditions. Frequently used in business contexts to describe a fundamental shift in a company's product or target audience.


SIMPLE

The startup had to pivot when their first app failed.

CONTEXTUAL

After realizing the market was saturated, the company decided to pivot toward high-end luxury goods instead.

COMPLEX

The candidate's ability to pivot during the debate allowed him to avoid a damaging question and refocus the conversation on his primary economic platform.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English pevet, *pivot, from Old French pivot (“hinge pin, pivot”) (12th c.), possibly from Latin pūgiō.

Usage

The verb is intransitive and is almost always followed by the preposition 'to' or 'toward'.

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