at full tilt
English
Etymology
Recorded c. 1600, perhaps from the interpretation of tilt "a joust" as derived from "leaning" into an attack, presumably a folk etymology, as tilt in late Middle English meant "a covering of coarse cloth, an awning" and referred to the barrier separating the combatants in a joust.
Pronunciation
Audio (AU): (file)
Prepositional phrase
- (idiomatic) At full speed; very quickly.
- Don't go racing around corners at full tilt or you'll hit someone.