fire on all cylinders
Operating at maximum
Fire on all cylinders means to operate at full capacity or peak performance.
The phrase comes from internal combustion engines, where each cylinder must fire properly for maximum power—if one misfires, the engine runs rough and loses efficiency.
When someone or something is firing on all cylinders, everything is working together smoothly and effectively: After her morning coffee, she was finally firing on all cylinders.
The negative form—not firing on all cylinders—suggests impaired function or subpar performance.
- excelSurpass all others
- thriveFlourish with vigor
- succeedAchieve a desired aim
- peak performanceHighest level of functioning
- engineMachine producing motion
pedal to the metal · high octane · energize · activate · operate · perform · maximize · flourish · optimize · enthusiasm · ignition · synergy · spark plug · momentum · torque · crankshaft · piston · peak
fire on all cylinderssputter
Emit irregular popping sounds
misfire · stall · underperform · falter · flounder
fire on all cylinderslanguish
Weaken through suffering
drag · run on empty · coast · idle · run out of gas
fires, fired, firing, fireman, fireplace, cylinder, cylinders, cylindrical, cylindrically