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Glite Dictionary
at full tilt

at full tilt

1 5.6
With as much speed and effort as possible
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : a toda velocidad
  • Thus, when the 1973 Arab-Israeli war triggered another Arab embargo, Texas, which was already operating at full tilt, was unable to produce more oil on short notice.
  • operating at full tilt
  • running at full tilt

Examples

  • Freddie seems happy behind the wheel of his 86x. I'm really looking forward to seeing the car at full tilt tomorrow.

    Blog text (3)

  • You'd have to already be at full tilt going that way at this point to not get hit by that.

  • The orderlies are bearing down on her at full tilt.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Before Lucian knew what was happening to him, one of the riders bore down at full tilt.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • The cavalry are training, galloping at full tilt, Harry and Durrance bringing up the front.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Thunderously loud, with industrial washers and dryers operating at full tilt.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Durrance sees the momentary lapse and waves his men on at full tilt.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • In a floor measuring almost 15 feet by four feet, a seven-team chariot race unfolds at full tilt in Lepcis' hippodrome, the largest outside Italy.

    Academic text (2002)

  • The runners dashed at full tilt towards the finish line, eager to break their personal best records.

  • The engine was roaring at full tilt, making it impossible to hear anything else in the garage.

Synonyms

all-out
vsat full tilt
68 4.1

Very determined and using all available effort

emphasizes fast movement or operation rather than resource use alone
in full swing
vsat full tilt
23 3.5

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

is about the fastest possible movement or effort rather than just peak activity
in full force
vsat full tilt
16 3.6

It happens with great strength and many people taking part

focuses more on top speed and maximum effort than on sheer strength
full throttle
vsat full tilt
12 5.8

A state of moving at the highest speed and with the most effort

is the same idea but includes doing so while moving at top speed
flat out
vsat full tilt
  • Informal
4 4.3

To do something as fast and as hard as possible

describes moving or operating at top speed and maximum effort
in high gear
vsat full tilt
4 4.4

Working very fast and doing everything needed

stresses top speed and effort rather than efficiency alone
to work on all cylinders
vsat full tilt
  • Informal
1 5.2

To do something with a lot of energy and good results

highlights fastest operation and effort rather than optimal efficiency
full sail
vsat full tilt
1 5.6

To work as fast and as hard as possible

is similar but centers on top speed or effort generally
full tilt boogie
vsat full tilt
  • Slang
9.9

At full speed and energy

focuses on top speed and effort without implying extra enthusiasm

Antonyms

standstill
35 3.5

A time when movement or activity stops completely

crawl
19 2.7

A very slow movement, often of traffic or of a project

How Fast

at lightspeed
  • Informal
1 5.1
at full tilt
  • Informal
1 5.6
steady pace
5 2.7
crawl
19 2.7

Surface Forms

at full tilt positive

Morphology

at + full + tilt

The element 'full' clearly signals maximum degree, so part of the meaning (maximum/intense) is derivable, but 'tilt' literally means a slant or lean and does not transparently denote speed or vigorous movement. The overall sense 'at maximum speed/effort' relies on a conventionalized metaphorical extension of 'tilt' (and is idiomatic), so a B1 learner who knows the words would only partially infer the meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

The phrase at full tilt comes from old jousting tournaments, where tilt meant 'to joust' and knights would charge on horseback with lances, riding as fast as they could. That's why at full tilt now means 'at full speed' or with the greatest effort.