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cylinder
fire on all cylinders
To function or operate at the most desirable or greatest possible level of efficiency, speed, or productivity. (Usually used in the continuous tense.) The new website will be firing on all cylinders once we get the comments section up and running! I only fire on all cylinders after I've had my coffee.
hit on all cylinders
To operate, perform, function, or proceed exceptionally well or at the greatest possible speed or efficiency. We'll be hitting on all cylinders if we get Janet to join our team.
cylinder head
The metal casing that fits onto a cylinder block in an internal-combustion engine. A: "Did dad say what's wrong with the car?" B: "I don't know, something about needing to fix the cylinder head, whatever that means!"
firing on all cylinders
and hitting on all cylinders 1. Lit.
[of an internal combustion engine] having all its cylinders working and thus providing the maximum amount of power. The old car is firing on all cylinders despite its age. This thing's not hitting on all cylinders. 2. Fig. working at full strength; making every possible effort. The team is firing on all cylinders under the new coach. The factory is hitting on all cylinders to finish the orders on time.
run on all cylinders
1. Lit. [for an engine] to run well and smoothly. This car is now running on all cylinders, thanks to the tune-up. You can hear if an engine is not running on all cylinders.
2. Fig. to function well or energetically. Our department seems to be running on all cylinders. Congratulations. I am back at my desk after my illness—running on all cylinders.
firing on all cylinders
operating as powerfully and effectively as possible
Doctors say Mary will be firing on all cylinders after two months of physical therapy. Usage notes: based on the literal meaning of a car engine using all of its cylinders (the parts that produce power)
be firing on all cylinders
to be operating as powerfully and effectively as possible Dawson will be firing on all cylinders after 2 months of fitness training.
fire on all cylinders
Also, hit or click on all cylinders . Function very well, as in Once we figured out how to use the new software, the department was firing on all cylinders , or "So the best infielder takes time to fit into the infield of a Big League club and have it hit on all four cylinders again" (Christy Mathewson, Pitching in a Pinch, 1912). This term transfers the functioning of an internal combustion engine, which works best when all its cylinders ignite, to broader use. [Early 1900s]
run on all cylinders
1. in. to run well and smoothly. My plan is now running on all cylinders.
2. in. to operate sensibly and intelligently. Pay attention to what you are doing. Start running on all cylinders.