high gear

noun

1
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Where Penn State went wrong with James Franklin As the season hits its midpoint, the college football coaching carousel is already shifted into high gear. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025 The Daily Dividend Earnings season is kicking back into high gear. Alex Harring, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025 The search for Denise quickly kicked into high gear. Mason Leath, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025 The prestigious Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in Arkansas gets underway Friday, just as Oscar season is kicking into high gear. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for high gear

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of high gear was in 1889

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Cite this Entry

“High gear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high%20gear. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on high gear

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