Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
in full gear

in full gear

1 3.5
Completely ready and working at full speed
  • idiom
translation icon : a todo vapor
  • Miller and his squad began marching through the woods in full gear with unloaded guns.

We do start out with the other two parts in full gear.

Examples

  • When I turned into the dirt county road that leads to our house, there was a fire engine from the local department, with half a dozen volunteer firefighters in full gear milling around.

    Blog text (16)

  • The party gets going and is soon in full gear.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • The museum party is in full gear.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • The Cowboys arrived by bus from their hotel, already dressed in full gear.

    Blog text (10)

  • Make sure everyone's in full gear.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Right now, everybody in full gear for a 20-mile hike.

    Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

  • It's 80 degrees out, and I'm in full gear climbing a ladder.

    Faith Under Fire (2020)

  • SWAT members, in full gear, leap from a black van, fan out, and swarm up the steps.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • A fireman, in full gear, jumps up from the bar and puts out the blaze with a fire extinguisher.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • The party gets going and is soon in full gear.

Synonyms

good to go
vsin full gear
  • Informal
85 3.5

Ready to start or continue something

is both ready and actually working at full capacity not just prepared
in operation
vsin full gear
24 3.2

Working now and serving its purpose

is ready for full capacity rather than merely functioning now
in full swing
vsin full gear
23 3.5

At the peak of activity when many people are active and working

is ready and prepared to function at full capacity rather than just peak energy
in gear
vsin full gear
22 3.6

With the gears engaged so a car or machine can move when the engine runs

is fully prepared and working at full capacity not merely able to move when powered
in full force
vsin full gear
16 3.6

It happens with great strength and many people taking part

is ready and prepared to function at full capacity rather than stressing strength
in high gear
vsin full gear
4 4.4

Working very fast and doing everything needed

is ready and able to work at full capacity rather than only moving fast
at full tilt
vsin full gear
  • Informal
1 5.6

With as much speed and effort as possible

is ready and able to work at full capacity rather than merely moving fast

Antonyms

unprepared
69 2.8

Not ready for something because the things you need or a plan are missing

inactive
11 2.5

Not being used or working now

How Prepared

in full gear
1 3.5
ready
∞ 1.0
in gear
22 3.6
unprepared
69 2.8

Surface Forms

in full gear positive

Morphology

in + full + gear

The components 'full' (complete) and 'gear' (equipment) transparently suggest being fully equipped or prepared, so a B1 learner who knows the words could infer a related meaning. However, the extension to 'functioning at full capacity' or 'ready to operate' is a somewhat idiomatic/metaphorical use of 'gear' (similar to 'in gear' meaning engaged) and the precise nuance may not be fully predictable without exposure.

Etymology

The phrase in full gear comes from machines: when all the gears fit together and turn, the whole machine runs at full power. So today the phrase means 'fully ready' or 'working at full power'.