- Home
- Idioms
- tilt
tilt
full-tilt boogie
1. adverb At the highest capacity or most extreme rate possible; rapidly, recklessly, or with full abandon. When I first bought the car, it was a total hunk of junk; but after a few months of work, it's now running full-tilt boogie. When the police showed up, everyone darted full-tilt boogie out of the house.
2. noun An extreme level of performance, capacity, or energy. We've reached a full-tilt boogie in the office, with everyone working extra hours to get the project off the ground.
tilt the balance
To change the balance of a situation, such that one side or element is favored or gains advantage. The two candidates are so close in the polls that both are vying for something that will tilt the balance in their favor. The immense interconnectivity of social media has tilted the balance of power somewhat back into the hands of the ordinary population.
tilt the scale(s)
To change the balance of a situation, such that one side or element is favored or gains advantage. The two candidates are so close in the polls that both are vying for something that will tilt the scale in their favor. The immense interconnectivity of social media has tilted the scales of power somewhat back into the hands of the ordinary population.
tilt at windmills
Fig. to fight battles with imaginary enemies; to fight against unimportant enemies or issues. (As with the fictional character, Don Quixote, who attacked windmills.) Aren't you too smart to go around tilting at windmills? I'm not going to fight this issue. I've wasted too much of my life tilting at windmills.
tilt something back
to move something so it leans back. Alice tilted her chair back and nearly fell over. She tilted back her chair and relaxed.
tilt to something
to lean or slant toward something or in a particular direction. The picture tilts to the left. Her head was tilted to the left because she was trying to see around the corner.
tilt toward someone or something
1. Lit to lean toward someone or something. The table is tilting toward Roger. The old shed tilted toward the west.
2. Fig. to favor choosing someone or something; to lean toward doing something. I am tilting toward Roger for my assistant. I am tilting toward the red car, not the black one.
(at) full tilt
as fast or hard as possible In order to produce more new cars, factories are running at full tilt. Bill left the house late, as he usually does, and had to run full tilt to catch his train.
(at) full pelt/steam/tilt
(informal) as fast as possible He was going full pelt down the motorway but he still didn't make it to the airport in time.
tilt at windmills
(literary) to waste time trying to deal with enemies or problems that do not exist We're not tilting at windmills here. If we don't do something about these problems, our environment may be in serious danger.
full tilt, at
As fast or forcefully as possible, as in Running full tilt on that very uneven ground, she was bound to trip and fall or Trying to keep up with new orders, the factory was running at full tilt. Originally referring to the combatants' thrust of a sword or lance, this term has been used figuratively since about 1700.
tilt at windmills
Engage in conflict with an imagined opponent, pursue a vain goal, as in Trying to reform campaign financing in this legislature is tilting at windmills. This metaphoric expression alludes to the hero of Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote (1605), who rides with his lance at full tilt (poised to strike) against a row of windmills, which he mistakes for evil giants.
tilt at
v.1. To charge or thrust at someone or something with lance or sword: The knight tilted at his opponent.
2. To fight against someone or something: The protesters were tilting at social injustices.
at full tilt
At full speed: a tank moving at full tilt.
on tilt
In a reckless manner, especially playing poker recklessly after experiencing bad or good luck.
tilt at windmills
To confront and engage in conflict with an imagined opponent or threat.
tilt at windmills
Fight imaginary enemies or fight a battle that can't be won. “Tilt” means “joust,” as in mounted knights fighting each other with lances. In Miguel Cervantes's Don Quixote, the Man of La Mancha came upon a row of windmills and took them for giants, their flailing arms ready to do battle. Despite his squire Sancho Panza's pointing out that they were windmills, Don Quote set his lance, spurred his steed Rocinante, and charged the “enemy.” Alas for the Knight of the Woeful Countenance, the windmills prevailed. Anyone who similarly takes on a losing cause is tilting at windmills.