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

Here's what to know and how to prepare you and your family before the season's peak period kicks into high gear within the next three months. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

Martin Lelievre | Afp | Getty Images Prediction markets are betting on another boom as football season and election season both kick into high gear. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

But her overreliance kicked into high gear as Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours took off. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026

The show had enough solid substance to merit optimism for its future, but the material has to be sharpened to put Miss Burnett’s talents in high gear and, particularly, to allow regular Harvey Korman full display of his comedy talents. — Hank Grant, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 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