Idioms

firing on all cylinders

This page is about the idiom firing on all cylinders

Meaning

If you're firing on all cylinders, you're functioning as well as you possibly can.

For example

  • Did you see Steve's presentation today? He was firing on all cylinders and it was brilliant.

  • Kerry has been training hard so she should be firing on all cylinders in the Olympic Games.

Origin: Probably metaphorical, from the fact that a car's engine runs at its best if all the cylinders are firing properly.

Quick Quiz

Our band was really firing on all cylinders tonight. I wish we'd

a. had more time to rehearse

b. recorded the concert

c. played a lot better
a) had more time to rehearse b) recorded the concert c) played a lot better

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey