switch on the afterburners

English

Verb

switch on the afterburners (third-person singular simple present switches on the afterburners, present participle switching on the afterburners, simple past and past participle switched on the afterburners)

1. To increase one's level of effort to the maximum.
   • 2024 February 4, David Hytner, “Arsenal ignite title hopes as Gabriel Martinelli punishes Liverpool error”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     There was the sight of numerous Arsenal players ­whipping up the crowd, including after the breakthrough goal, which had been advertised. From a Raya throw, ­Martinelli switched on the afterburners to glide away from Konaté before crossing for Bukayo Saka, who had timed his run. Saka’s headed connection was not true.