high gear
noun
1
2
: a state of intense or maximum activity
—usually used with into or in
a project in high gear
Example Sentences
She shifted the car into high gear.
Recent Examples on the Web
Even though festival season is practically year-round in Southern California, April is when things kick into high gear.
—
Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2023
Spring is typically the best time of the year to go to Annapolis, as summer tends to become busier when sailing season kicks into high gear.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2023
Winged Rise Up Gummies is the perfect way to kick your workout into high gear.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2023
The boys baseball season is just getting underway, and the race for the PIL title will move into high gear.
—oregonlive, 27 Mar. 2023
When Canadian singer-songwriter Julianna Riolino takes the stage with her snarling rock band, the evening’s broadcast kicks into high gear.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2023
Sydney Sweeney is shifting things into high gear!
—Alex Ross, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2023
Even before awards season kicked into high gear and the duo emerged as Oscar frontrunners, Daniels inked a five-year deal with Universal in August 2022.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 20 Mar. 2023
Spring is already kicking into high gear in the metro Detroit arts community; each weekend, there are more and more opportunities available.
—Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2023
See More
Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2023
Spring is typically the best time of the year to go to Annapolis, as summer tends to become busier when sailing season kicks into high gear.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2023
Winged Rise Up Gummies is the perfect way to kick your workout into high gear.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2023
The boys baseball season is just getting underway, and the race for the PIL title will move into high gear.
—oregonlive, 27 Mar. 2023
When Canadian singer-songwriter Julianna Riolino takes the stage with her snarling rock band, the evening’s broadcast kicks into high gear.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2023
Sydney Sweeney is shifting things into high gear!
—Alex Ross, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2023
Even before awards season kicked into high gear and the duo emerged as Oscar frontrunners, Daniels inked a five-year deal with Universal in August 2022.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 20 Mar. 2023
Spring is already kicking into high gear in the metro Detroit arts community; each weekend, there are more and more opportunities available.
—Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'high gear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near high gear
Cite this Entry
“High gear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high%20gear. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on high gear
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
-
Palter, Dissemble, and Other Words for Lying
Trust us
-
Skunk, Bayou, and Other Words with Native American Origins
You've used more than you might think
-
Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 2
When 'thingamajig' and 'thingamabob' just won't do
-
When Were Words First Used?
Look up any year to find out
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share