swing (redirected from gone with a swing)

*in full swing and *in high gear

Fig. at the peak of activity; moving fast or efficiently. (*Typically: be ~; move [into] ~; get [into] ~.) In the summer months, things really get into full swing around here. We go skiing in the mountains each winter. Things are in high gear there in November.

See also: full

get in(to) the swing of things

Fig. to join in with people and their activities; to become more social and up-to-date. Come on, Bill. Try to get into the swing of things. John just couldn't seem to get in the swing of things.

See also: get, thing

go into action and swing into action

to start doing something. I usually get to work at 7:45, get some coffee, and I go into action at 8:00. When the ball is hit in my direction, you should see me swing into action.

See also: action

not enough room to swing a cat

Rur. not very much space. Their living room was very small. There wasn't enough room to swing a cat. How can you work in a small room like this? There's not enough room to swing a cat.

See also: cat, enough, room

swing something

Fig. to make something happen. I hope I can swing a deal that will make us all a lot of money. We all hope you can swing it.

swing around (to something)

to move one's body or view around to another position. She swung around to the left, where she could see better. The bear suddenly swung around and charged.

See also: around

swing at someone or something

to strike at someone or something. Max swung at the cop—a serious mistake. The batter swung at the ball and missed.

swing for something

Fig. [for someone] to die by hanging for committing a crime. The sheriff swore that Tex would swing for the killing. Max said he would not swing for something that Lefty had done.

swing from something

to hang or dangle from something. The child was swinging from an exercise baron her swing set. Ted was swinging from the edge of the cliff, waiting to be rescued.

swing into something

to enter something by swinging. The monkey swung into its cage, and I quickly locked the cage door. I grabbed a rope and swung into the cave, where my pursuer couldn't see me.

swing into high gear

to begin operating at a fast pace; to increase the rate of activity. During the winter season we swing into high gear around here. The chef swings into high gear around six o'clock in preparation for the theater crowd.

See also: gear, high

swing to something

to change to a different position or attitude. The mood of the country is swinging to conservatism. Soon the attitudes of the people will swing to the opposite side.

swing with someone or something

Sl. to appreciate someone or something. Man, I can really swing with that color. Glorious! I can really swing with John. He and I are real close.

take a swing at someone

to attempt to punch someone. He took a swing at me! Tom took a swing at Bob, but Bob ducked out of the way.

See also: take

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not room to swing a cat  (informal)

if there is not room to swing a cat in a place, that place is very small There isn't room to swing a cat in the third room, it's so tiny. Get a sofa in the living room? You'll be lucky - there isn't room to swing a cat in there.

See also: cat, room

be in full swing

if an event is in full swing, it has already been happening for a period of time and there is a lot of activity When we got to Vicki's place the party was in full swing.

See also: full

get into the swing of it/things

to become familiar with an activity or situation so that you can start doing it well or enjoying it I was just getting into the swing of things when they transferred me to another department. I hadn't worked in an office for a few years and it took me a while to get back into the swing of it.

See also: get

go with a swing  (British old-fashioned)

if an event, especially a party, goes with a swing, it is very exciting and successful A traditional jazz band - now that would help your party go with a swing.

it's swings and roundabouts  (British & Australian) also what you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabouts (British & Australian)

something that you say to describe a situation in which there are as many advantages as there are problems If you make more money, you have to pay more tax, so what we gain on the swings, we lose on the roundabouts. It's swings and roundabouts, really. If you save money by buying a house out of town, you pay more to travel to work.

See also: and, roundabout

swing both ways  (informal)

to be sexually attracted to both men and women I've seen her out with men as well. She swings both ways, you know.

See also: both, ways

swing the lead  (British & Australian old-fashioned)

to pretend to be ill so that you do not have to work (usually in continuous tenses) And is she genuinely ill or is she just swinging the lead?

See swing the balance

See also: lead

swing/tip the balance

to make something more likely to happen, or to make someone more likely to succeed They were both well-qualified for the job but Ian had more experience and that tipped the balance. The success of this film could tip the balance in favour of other British films in the future.

See throw off balance

See also: balance

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in full swing

moving quickly forward In Moscow, a building boom is in full swing.

See also: full

swing at somebody/something also take a swing at somebody/something

to try to hit someone or something They were arguing, and then I saw him swing at Howie. He took a swing at the window so he could get into the house, and then he remembered the key hidden under the doormat.

swing by (somewhere)

to visit a place briefly I told Paul we'd swing by his office about five today. George said he planned to swing by later.

the swing of things

the usual way that something is done I was just getting into the swing of things when they moved me to another department. Jim immediately began collecting samples, and I was soon in the swing of things.

Usage notes: usually used in the forms in the swing of things or into the swing of things, as in the examples

See also: thing