full flower

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseliterary

   the state in which something has reached its strongest, most complete or most developed point

   Grammar: Almost always used after in: the movement was in full flower.

   Patterns

   • in full flower
   • come into full flower
   • at its full flower

   By the 1920s the city's jazz scene was in full flower.

   Her talent came into full flower during her final year at art school.

   The garden is in full flower right now, so it is the best time to visit.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   the time when a plant has all its flowers open

   Grammar: Used after in, describing plants rather than people or ideas.

   Patterns

   • in full flower

   The cherry trees along the river are in full flower.

   We arrived when the lavender was in full flower and the whole field was purple.

Common combinations

in full flower

The reform movement was in full flower by the 1890s.

come into full flower

His writing came into full flower after he moved to the coast.

at the height of its full flower

At the height of its full flower, the company employed thousands.

a period of full flower

The decade was a period of full flower for local theater.

Synonyms and how they differ

peak

Peak is more neutral and common in everyday English; full flower is more literary and suggests beauty as well as strength.

bloom

Bloom often refers to a person's healthy or successful period; full flower is broader and can describe movements, art or plants.

prime

Prime usually refers to the best years of a person's life; full flower can describe ideas and activities too.

Opposites

Word family

flower verb

to produce flowers, or to develop fully

Commonly confused: full flower or full bloom?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “full flower”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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