great guns

adverb

Informal. in a relentlessly energetic or successful manner:
The new president has the company going great guns.

First recorded in 1870–75

When the Constitution drew near, the stranger hoisted the British flag and began to fire her great guns.

The first thing the Wasp found at sea was a mighty gale of wind, that blew "great guns" for two days.

But those were not the days of the great guns that can send huge balls six or seven miles through the air.

For an hour her men fought bravely, but her great guns were of no use, and a white flag was raised.

As they swept down in front of the city the great guns of the forts sent out their balls.

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