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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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!
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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!"
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
full steam (or speed) ahead
used to indicate that you should proceed with as much speed or energy as possible.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
full steam/speed aˈhead
with as much speed or energy as possible: We were working full steam ahead to finish the project by the end of April.This expression refers to the order given on a ship by the captain to the engine room.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017