hitting on all cylinders
Operating at maximum
Hitting 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 hitting on all cylinders, everything is working together smoothly: The team was hitting on all cylinders in the second half.
Also *firing on all cylinders*.
- well-oiledSmoothly efficient, friction-free
- combustion engineFuel-igniting mechanical powerplant
- optimalMost desirable outcome
- peak performanceHighest level of functioning
- in full swingAt peak activity
fine tuned · piston · synergy · effective · synchronization · in sync · cooperation · streamlined · flawless · in the zone · cohesion · harmony · horsepower · unity · ignition · productive · torque · pedal to the metal
hitting on all cylinderssputtering
Particle ejection from surfaces
stalling · misfiring · underperforming · running on fumes · running on empty
hitting on all cylindersmisfiring
Failing to ignite properly
sputtering · stalling · breaking down · conking out · seizing up
hitting on all cylindersstalling
Intentional delay tactics
sputtering · faltering · stuttering · hiccupping · fits and starts
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