in full blast
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
In full swing; "all out." As one might say, "The speakers at Hyde Park on Saturday were in full blast." A metaphor from the blast furnace in full operation.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “in full blast” mean?
In full swing; "all out." As one might say, "The speakers at Hyde Park on Saturday were in full blast." A metaphor from the blast furnace in full operation.
Is “in full blast” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.