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

But for the first time in a while, the movie business is running at a high gear, with reason to expect the good times might continue to roll. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

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

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