retool
retool — verb
- retoolpresent simple I / you / we / they
- retoolshe / she / it
- retooledpast simple
- retooling-ing form
1. to change the way a system, method, or organization works so that it becomes bet
to change the way a system, method, or organization works so that it becomes better or fits new needs
The company retooled its hiring process after complaints about bias.
retool + noun phrase (process / system / approach)
Many schools are retooling their curriculum to include more digital literacy and coding.
The marketing team retooled their entire strategy to connect with a younger audience.
After the election loss, the party retooled its message and tried again.
- revamp
more informal; suggests giving something a fresh appearance or surface-level update
- overhaul
stronger; implies a thorough, top-to-bottom change rather than adjustment
- restructure
focuses on changing the organisation or arrangement rather than the process itself
- reorganize
milder; often about rearranging rather than fundamental change
- maintain
to keep things as they are rather than changing them
文法句型
retool + noun phrase
be retooled + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Often used for organisations or abstract systems. More concrete replacements of physical equipment belong to sense 2 or 3.
常見錯誤
2. to supply a workplace, such as a factory or plant, with new machines or tools so
to supply a workplace, such as a factory or plant, with new machines or tools so that the business can operate more efficiently or produce different goods
The factory was retooled with robotic arms to speed up the assembly line.
passive: be retooled with [equipment]
Management decided to retool the entire plant before launching the new electric vehicle model.
retool + plant / factory / facility
The government provided grants to help retool old shipyards with modern welding stations.
Amara's job was to retool the packaging line so it could handle smaller boxes.
文法句型
retool + noun phrase + with + noun phrase
retool + noun phrase + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
The subject is typically a company, management, or external funder. The object is a facility or production line. Use 'with' for the new equipment installed.
常見錯誤
3. (of a business or production facility) to replace older machines or tools with n
(of a business or production facility) to replace older machines or tools with newer ones to stay competitive or change what is made
The plant closed for six months to retool for electric vehicle battery production.
retool for [new product / process]
Small manufacturers often struggle to retool because the machinery costs are so high.
The old textile mill retooled and began producing technical fabrics for medical use.
Karachi's largest steel mill is retooling to meet new environmental standards.
文法句型
retool + to-infinitive
retool + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Unlike sense 2 (where someone else provides the equipment), here the factory or industry acts on its own behalf. The verb has no direct object.
常見錯誤
4. to learn new abilities or gain fresh experience so that you can do a different t
to learn new abilities or gain fresh experience so that you can do a different type of work or adapt to changes in your current job
After the department shut down, Kavita retooled by completing a data-analytics certificate online.
retool by + verb-ing (method)
Many factory workers are retooling themselves for careers in renewable-energy installation.
reflexive: retool oneself for [new career]
Diego retooled his résumé with project-management qualifications and found a new role quickly.
Teachers who retool for special education are in especially high demand right now.
文法句型
retool + reflexive pronoun + for + noun phrase
retool + by + verb-ing
retool (intransitive)
用法筆記
Particularly common in American English career-development contexts. Unlike sense 1, which changes an external system, sense 4 changes the person's own capabilities. A reflexive pronoun (oneself) is optional and adds emphasis.