Cook with gas
Meaning
To perform exceptionally well, with speed, efficiency, and full enthusiasm.
Origin
The phrase "cook with gas" emerged in the United States during the mid-20th century, gaining significant popularity during World War II. Gas stoves were then seen as the cutting edge of domestic technology, offering instant heat, precise control, and superior efficiency compared to older, less predictable coal or wood-fired stoves. To "cook with gas" literally meant to use the most modern and effective method of cooking. This literal sense quickly broadened into a metaphor for performing any task with great vigor, speed, and proficiency, urging someone to get serious and achieve peak performance, much like a powerful and efficient gas burner.
Examples
- After a slow start, the project team really started to cook with gas once they ironed out the initial technical issues.
- If we want to finish this before the deadline, we need to stop procrastinating and really cook with gas.