top gear en · NOUN
Meanings
-
(countable, uncountable) The highest gear that is available in a motor vehicle or car.
Near-synonyms: (often synonymous) fifth gear, overdrive
The Second World War was reaching fever pitch, with the entire Allied effort in top gear for the imminent invasion of Europe, while later that month buzz bombs would start falling on London.
2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 948, page 42:His Packard rarely saw top gear, because in the 1930s this county barely had any roads smooth and straight enough to use it on.
-
(countable, figuratively, uncountable) The highest level of performance or activity.
Things really shifted into top gear once they found a new angel investor.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| top gears | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Antonyms
low gear · low gear · first gear · granny gear
Coordinates
third gear · neutral · angel gear · overdrive · second gear · fourth gear