to the gunwales
phrase
: as fully as possible
The doorbell rang, and Flanagan let in his wife, who was loaded to the gunwales with groceries.—
Whitney Balliett
Whitney BalliettCite this Entry
“To the gunwales.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/to%20the%20gunwales. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
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