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

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

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

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.

More from Merriam-Webster on high gear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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