firing on all cylinders and hitting on all cylinders20635

firing on all cylinders and hitting on all cylinders
1. Lit. [of an internal combustion engine] having all its cylinders working and thus providing the maximum amount of power. The old car is firing on all cylinders despite its age. This thing's not hitting on all cylinders.
2. Fig. working at full strength; making every possible effort. The team is firing on all cylinders under the new coach. The factory is hitting on all cylinders to finish the orders on time.
See also: cylinder, firing