Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

high gear

Idioms  
  1. A state of maximum activity, energy, or force. For example, His mind was in high gear as he studied for the medical exam, or The political campaign is finally moving into high gear. This expression alludes to the high gear of an engine transmission, used at the fastest speeds.


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:

As second-quarter earnings kick into high gear this week, Wall Street analysts seem to be feeling pretty good, despite ongoing concerns about the impact of the Iran war.

From MarketWatch Jul. 12, 2026

Meek, a 10-year-old Black girl, is grappling with her fears of nuclear Armageddon as more prosaic domestic concerns kick into high gear.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 8, 2026

And as the primary’s final stretch nears, the campaigns are kicking into high gear.

From Los Angeles Times May 17, 2026

Now the Navy needs the shipyard along the Thames River to rev its engines back into high gear.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 18, 2026

Not even Bones in high gear or Horse at full gallop could outrun the Vitamin Kid.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training