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at its peak

at its peak

15 3.3
Something is at its strongest, most successful, or most intense
  • idiom
translation icon : en su apogeo
  • The sun was caught in the leaves of the trees, and rush hour was at its peak.

When that is at its peak, that is when you are most contagious.

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Examples

  • At its peak year of production in 1943, Southeastern employed 15,000 workers, 3,500 of whom were women.

    Academic text (2009)
  • The concert was at its peak, with thousands of fans cheering and singing along.

  • Love likes in both people and in nature what is either at its peak or on its way to its peak.

  • The storm will be at its peak.

  • Even now, interest in the marketplace is at its peak.

  • A vanguard organization was, by definition, a small one, with about 500 members at its peak.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The best time of year to see this event is mid-month as the population is at its peak.

    Academic text (2009)
  • At its peak, it held 2,500 and they never had enough staff.

  • At its peak, Blackwood Falls had a population of over 200 residents by 1893.

  • At its peak, prescribing for smoking cessation was costing the NHS 65.9 million.

    Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

climax
vsat its peak
38 3.7

The most intense point in a process, event, or story

refers to an overall highest level rather than only dramatic moment
high point
vsat its peak
30 3.3

The most exciting or important part of an experience

focuses on greatest level or intensity rather than enjoyment alone
in full swing
vsat its peak
23 3.5

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

means being at greatest strength or intensity, not just busy
summit
vsat its peak
12 4.9

The highest level of achievement in a career or field

is used broadly for being at maximum power or degree
highest point
vsat its peak
11 3.7

The top level that something reaches

expresses the general idea of being at peak condition
zenith
vsat its peak
7 6.2

The highest point of success or power

is the general phrase for being at the highest level
high-water mark
vsat its peak
4 4.2

The highest point something reaches, like water level or success

emphasizes being at the greatest success or intensity
apogee
vsat its peak
2 8.9

The highest point in the development of something

is the common way to state highest strength or intensity
crest of the wave
vsat its peak
  • Informal
4.5

At the highest point of success or popularity for someone

is the plain expression for being at maximum strength or level

Antonyms

344 3.7

To become less over time, for example in value or health

low
130 1.0

The point when something is at its smallest level

How Intense

at its peak
15 3.3
powerful
1.7
strong
1.0
mild
107 1.0
faint
148 2.7

Surface Forms

at its peak positive

Morphology

at + its + peak

The meaning 'at the highest point or level' is directly derivable from combining 'at' (location), 'its' (possessive determiner) and 'peak' (highest point). This preposition + possessive + peak pattern is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common compositional construction, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will understand the phrase.

Etymology

At its peak comes from the simple picture of something reaching the top of a mountain or hill. When something is on the top it is at its strongest or highest, so at its peak means 'at the highest point' or 'at the greatest strength'.