In full swing means an event or activity is well under way and at its busiest. By midday the market was in full swing: it was buzzing. Preparations are in full swing: everyone is working flat out. A swing here is like a playground swing that has reached its highest point.
When would you say in full swing?
Write a sentence — we'll check that the expression fits the situation and suggest what to fix.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
an event / activity is in full swing; preparations are in full swing
- By midday, the street market was in full swing.
- Preparations for the school play are in full swing this week.
- The renovation was in full swing, with builders working on every floor.
What changed
First versionPreparations for the festival are at full swing.
RevisionPreparations for the festival are in full swing.
At full speed and at full volume sit right next to it, so at seems to belong here too. But swing takes in in this idiom: in full swing. Replacing at with in makes it the fixed expression.
Up and running means launched and working, with no sense of liveliness: The new website is up and running. In full swing means it's already buzzing: The party was in full swing when we arrived. Under way just means it has started: Work is under way.
Your turn
Use the idiom for a very active stage: The exhibition preparations are ___ full swing.
Show the answer
in — The idiom is in full swing. At comes from similar phrases like at full speed and at full volume, but it doesn't work here.
Describe a party, fair or renovation that was in full swing when you arrived.
Rehearsals are in full swing, and music can be heard from every room in the centre.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.