PhrasesHub

firing on all cylinders

    Definitions

      • operating at maximum capacity
        Describe a person, organization, or process that is functioning at the highest level of efficiency and productivity

      • performing at full potential
        Refer to someone or something that is performing at their best and achieving great results

    Examples of firing on all cylinders

    • The sales team's performance this quarter has been nothing short of outstanding. They are truly firing on all cylinders, consistently meeting and exceeding their targets.

      When we say that a machine is "firing on all cylinders," we mean it is functioning optimally and performing at maximum capacity. In the business context, this phrase is used to describe a team or individual who is operating at peak efficiency, utilizing all of their resources and skills to achieve exceptional results. In this case, the sales team is operating at peak efficiency, utilizing all of their resources and skills to achieve exceptional results. They are meeting and exceeding their targets, which is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and strategic planning.

    • The engine was purring like a kitten as the car sped down the highway. It was firing on all cylinders, and I could feel the power under the hood.

      When we say that an engine is "firing on all cylinders," we mean that all of the cylinders in the engine are working properly and in sync. This results in maximum power and efficiency. In this context, the phrase is used to describe a machine that is operating at peak performance. The car in this example is operating at peak performance, as evidenced by the purring engine and the speed at which it is traveling.

    • Our marketing campaign is truly firing on all cylinders. The social media ads are generating a lot of buzz, the email newsletter open rates are through the roof, and our sales team is closing deals left and right.

      When we say that a marketing campaign is "firing on all cylinders," we mean that all of the components of the campaign are working together seamlessly to achieve the desired results. In this case, the social media ads are generating a lot of buzz, the email newsletter open rates are high, and the sales team is closing deals left and right. This is a testament to the effectiveness of the marketing campaign as a whole, as all of the components are working together in harmony to achieve excellent results.

    • The athlete was in top form today, truly firing on all cylinders. She won the gold medal in record time, setting a new world record in the process.

      When we say that an athlete is "firing on all cylinders," we mean that she is performing at peak efficiency and utilizing all of her resources and skills to achieve exceptional results. In this case, the athlete set a new world record in record time, which is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and strategic planning. She was utilizing all of her resources and skills to achieve exceptional results, resulting in a truly outstanding performance.

    • The company's sales team is firing on all cylinders this quarter, surpassing last year's numbers by 20%.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where all parts or aspects of something are performing efficiently and effectively at the same time. In this example, it means that the sales team is working at peak performance and achieving exceptional results.

    • After months of hard work, the athlete finally reached her full potential and is firing on all cylinders in her latest competitions.

      Here, "firing on all cylinders" is used to describe the athlete's top-level performance, indicating that all her physical and mental capabilities are functioning optimally.

    • The project was fired up and running smoothly on all cylinders from the initial concept to the final delivery, thanks to the dedication of the entire team.

      In this scenario, "firing on all cylinders" is used to highlight the success of the entire project, denoting that all the contributors played their critical roles to perfection.

    • The car engine was firing on all cylinders as the driver accelerated smoothly on the highway.

      This example illustrates the literal meaning of the idiom, where the car's engine components, also known as cylinders, are working at full capacity, leading to excellent performance in terms of power and speed.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "firing on all cylinders" is used to describe a person, team, or system that is operating at their maximum capacity and performing at their best. It can be used to praise someone's high level of productivity or to highlight that they are achieving great results. It is a positive and energetic expression that conveys a sense of peak performance.

    This idiom is commonly used in professional contexts to describe a team or organization that is working at their highest level of efficiency and achieving great success. It can also be used in personal contexts to praise an individual who is performing at their best in various aspects of their life, such as work, sports, or creative endeavors.

    Overall, "firing on all cylinders" is a vivid and impactful way to convey the idea of operating at maximum capacity and achieving great results.

    Origin of "firing on all cylinders"

    The origin of the idiom "firing on all cylinders" can be traced back to the early 20th century when it was first used in the context of internal combustion engines. The expression refers to the optimal functioning of a multi-cylinder engine, where each cylinder is firing and contributing to the overall power and performance of the engine.

    Over time, the idiom has been adopted in a metaphorical sense to describe the optimal functioning of individuals, teams, or organizations. It conveys the idea of all elements working together harmoniously and at their best to achieve great results. The vivid imagery of a powerful engine firing on all cylinders has made this idiom a popular and effective way to describe peak performance and efficiency.