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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

fire on all cylinders en · VERB

Pronunciation

Etymology

In reference to an internal combustion engine, in which using all cylinders allows the engine to operate most effectively.

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) To operate as effectively as possible.
    • "How long does it usually take for me to recover?" "A few months," Wheeler says. "But if you want the honest truth, people in this division are as competent on day one as they'll ever be. You come to the job firing on all cylinders, or not at all. The rest is just fine-tuning and chemistry." 2015–2021, qntm, “Introductory Antimemetics”, in There Is No Antimemetics Division, →ISBN:
    • The performance was a sign of real intent for Arsenal as they continue their pursuit for silverware on four fronts - and with Van Persie firing on all cylinders, the odds look good on them winning a first trophy since 2005. 2011 January 22, Ian Hughes, “Arsenal 3 - 0 Wigan”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 25 Mar 2021:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
fired on all cylinders Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
fired on all cylinders Tense=Past lexicographic
fires on all cylinders Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
firing on all cylinders Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
hit on all six alternative lexicographic
hit on all cylinders alternative lexicographic

Synonyms

hit on all six

Translations (2)

pl działać na pełnych obrotach (to operate as effectively as possible) · fi tehdä täydellä teholla (to operate as effectively as possible)