high gear

noun

1

: high sense 3b

2

: a state of intense or maximum activity

—usually used with into or in

a project in high gear

Examples of high gear in a Sentence

She shifted the car into high gear.

Recent Examples on the Web

Take advantage of this prime shopping period, before the holidays kick into high gear, to pick up one-of-a-kind items. — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Officials might consider reducing boat engine sizes on the Chain and the Fox River to limit running the lakes in high gear. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

As construction has ramped into high gear, the administration has increasingly run into opposition from a combination of landowners, environmental groups, and Native Americans. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Football season is kicking into high gear and so is a research project using technology and physics to study head impacts in football. — Kristine Sorensen, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for high gear

• adhere
• ameer
• amir
• appear
• arrear
• astir
• austere
• career
• cashier
• cohere
• compere
• emir