IdiomDaily Life

English

at full tilt

Meaning: At full speed or with full force.

Example: “The factory is running at full tilt before the holidays.”

Origin: From medieval jousting: to "tilt" was to charge at an opponent with a lance, and "full tilt" was the fastest charge. The phrase is found from the 17th century.

Equivalents in other languages

Spanish: a uña de caballo Literally: At horse's hoof
Spanish: a todo mecate Literally: At full rope
Italian: a gambe levate Literally: At raised legs
French: En quatrième vitesse Literally: In fourth gear

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More English idioms

freeze one's butt off To be extremely cold.
be in clover To live in comfort and luxury.
go downhill To get steadily worse.
hightail it To leave in a great hurry.
diddly-squat Nothing at all.
have a nerve To be rude or bold in a way that shocks others.

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