firing on all cylinders
Operating at maximum
Firing on all cylinders means operating at full capacity or peak performance.
The phrase comes from internal combustion engines, where each cylinder must fire properly for maximum power.
When someone or something is firing on all cylinders, everything is working as it should: After her coffee, she was finally firing on all cylinders.
The negative—not firing on all cylinders—suggests impaired function or diminished mental sharpness.
- engine powerMotor's output capacity
- radial engineMotor with hub-spoke cylinder arrangement
- peak performanceHighest level of functioning
- peak formMaximum capability state
- full steam aheadComplete commitment to progress
momentum · flow state · achievement · winning streak · drive · productivity · synergy · triumph · pistons · mastery · streamlining · ignition timing · fine-tuning · in the zone · horsepower · vitality · vigor · dynamism
- machine idiomswell-oiled machine, gears turning, grinding gears, full steam ahead, cranking up
- energy idiomsfull of beans, running on empty, second wind, burn out, fired up
- mentally sharpsharp mind, clear head, lucid, focused, alert
- skill idiomsknow the ropes, cut the mustard, on the ball, sharp as a tack, jack of all trades
- Mind Idiomssharp mind, open mind, quick wit, bird brain, pea brain
- success idiomshit the jackpot, strike gold, make it, rags to riches, come out on top
firing on all cylindersrunning on empty
Operating without remaining resources
underperforming · phoning it in · subpar · coasting · going through the motions
firing on all cylinderssluggish
Slow and inactive
lethargic · half-hearted · listless · dead in the water · out of gas
firing on all cylindersbroken down
No longer operational
out of commission · on the fritz · kaput · malfunctioning · out of action
fires, firing, fireable, firearm, firefighter, firework, cylinder, cylinders, cylindrical