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.
State of emergency declared in California while CDC confirms severe case of bird flu in Louisiana California’s response to rising cases of bird flu among dairy herds kicked into high gear Wednesday as Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 Now, the awards campaigners will kick into high gear to make sure their films make it to the final five nominees. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2024 This is because in addition to helping with weight management, research indicates that at the 18-hour mark, other health benefits kick into high gear. Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2024 Postwar planning for Syria needs to go into high gear. David Brennan, ABC News, 9 Dec. 2024 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

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 30 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on high gear

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