'To shift the helm' definitions:

Definition of 'To shift the helm'

From: GCIDE
  • Helm \Helm\, n. [OE. helme, AS. helma rudder; akin to D. & G. helm, Icel. hj[=a]lm, and perh. to E. helve.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. (Naut.) The apparatus by which a ship is steered, comprising rudder, tiller, wheel, etc.; -- commonly used of the tiller or wheel alone. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The place or office of direction or administration. "The helm of the Commonwealth." --Melmoth. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. One at the place of direction or control; a steersman; hence, a guide; a director. [1913 Webster]
  • The helms o' the State, who care for you like fathers. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. [Cf. Helve.] A helve. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster]
  • Helm amidships, when the tiller, rudder, and keel are in the same plane.
  • Helm aport, when the tiller is borne over to the port side of the ship.
  • Helm astarboard, when the tiller is borne to the starboard side.
  • Helm alee, Helm aweather, when the tiller is borne over to the lee or to the weather side.
  • Helm hard alee, Helm hard aport, Helm hard astarboard, etc., when the tiller is borne over to the extreme limit.
  • Helm port, the round hole in a vessel's counter through which the rudderstock passes.
  • Helm down, helm alee.
  • Helm up, helm aweather.
  • To ease the helm, to let the tiller come more amidships, so as to lessen the strain on the rudder.
  • To feel the helm, to obey it.
  • To right the helm, to put it amidships.
  • To shift the helm, to bear the tiller over to the corresponding position on the opposite side of the vessel. --Ham. Nav. Encyc. [1913 Webster]