fire on all cylinders

Idioms

Also,. Function very well, as in Once we figured out how to use the new software, the department was firing on all cylinders, or “So the best infielder takes time to fit into the infield of a Big League club and have it hit on all four cylinders again” (Christy Mathewson, Pitching in a Pinch, 1912). This term transfers the functioning of an internal combustion engine, which works best when all its cylinders ignite, to broader use. [Early 1900s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

fire on all cylinders

The crew is tired, but they continue to fire on all cylinders.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

The economy can’t fire on all cylinders unless manufacturers are participating.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 2, 2026

“The team is starting to fire on all cylinders, finally,” Muncy said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2025

To be Golden State’s spoiler, or to win the title from some other Western Conference team, it will need to fire on all cylinders.

From New York Times ● Jan. 7, 2022

Nevertheless, this dynamic trio gives it their all, are guaranteed a nice payday and accordingly fire on all cylinders.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2021

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023