top gear

American  

[top geer] / ˈtɒp ˈgɪər /

noun

1. the position or arrangement of parts in an automobile’s transmission that allows for the greatest speed and efficiency; the highest available gear in an automobile.

   The automatic transmission has six speeds, enough to furnish fast, serene cruising in top gear.

---

idioms

1. in / into top gear. gear.

top gear British  

noun

1. Often shortened to: top.  the highest gear in a motor vehicle

---

Etymology

Origin of top gear

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

top gear

The most daring, the most violent, the "person in the top gear", as one 23-year-old put it, has a chance -- albeit slim -- of rising through the ranks.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

On the field, he wants England playing one of the world’s slowest sports in top gear all the time.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025

Arteta's men have still not hit top gear offensively, but it has not mattered thanks to a club record run of clean sheets.

From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2025

Many sneered at the comments from the Brighton owner, but with each passing week that bold assessment is looking more realistic with Rangers in turmoil and Celtic yet to hit top gear.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2025

But he had not yet gone into that whizzing top gear of his, when the ground became blurred by speed and the wind howled and his feet didn’t seem to be touching anything but air.

From "The BFG" by Roald Dahl