full steam/speed ahead
full speed ahead
1. adjective Moving or proceeding with the utmost speed, energy, or enthusiasm. With all the legal hurdles behind us, it was full speed ahead as we began construction of the new resort. It took a while for solar panels to catch on for ordinary consumers, but now it's full speed ahead.
2. adverb As quickly and efficiently as possible; with all possible energy and determination. We'll have to go full speed ahead if we want to get this done by the deadline! We're ready to go full speed ahead once the health inspector signs off.
full steam ahead
1. adjective Moving or proceeding with the utmost speed, energy, or enthusiasm. With all the legal hurdles behind us, it was full steam ahead as we began construction of the new resort. It took a while for solar panels to catch on for ordinary consumers, but now it's full steam ahead.
2. adverb As quickly and efficiently as possible; with all possible energy and determination. We'll have to go full steam ahead if we want to get this done by the deadline! We're ready to go full steam ahead once the health inspector signs off.
full steam ahead
Fig. onward with determination. We started moving full steam ahead on the project. Full steam ahead! Let's see how fast this will go!
full speed ahead
Also, full steam ahead. As fast and as strongly as possible. For example, There's only one way we'll get there on time, so go full speed ahead, or Production would go full steam ahead as soon as the orders were confirmed. It is also put as with a full head of steam, as in She was traveling with a full head of steam-she was due there at noon. These expressions all allude to the steam engine, where full steam signifies that a boiler has developed maximum pressure. They became well known through an order allegedly given by Admiral David Farragut at the battle of Mobile Bay (1864): "Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!"
full steam ahead
If you go full steam ahead with a project, you start to do it with great energy and determination. Note: The following expressions refer to the use of steam to provide power for a machine, especially a steam engine. The Government was determined to go full steam ahead with its privatisation programme. The Prime Minister declared it was full steam ahead for a fourth term of government.