Strenuously; at full tilt.
1832. I met an express coming on full chisel from Philadelphia.—Seba Smith, ‘Major Jack Downing,’ p. 168 (1860).
1836. He talks full chisel, like a Guinea hen.—Phila. Public Ledger, Dec. 10.
1837. He then cut stick for his lodgings, and in about an hour returned full chisel, followed by a strapping nigger.—Id., March 6.
1846. Hosy he cum down stares full chizzle, hare on eend and cote tales flyin.—‘Biglow Papers,’ No. 1.
1856. I intend to go into it, and serve the Lord, now, full chisel! If I catch the next lot of niggers, I intend to give half the money towards keeping up preaching somewhere round here.—H. B. Stowe, ‘Dred,’ chap. xxiii.
1856. Horrified at the threat, and solicitous for the welfare of his quadruped, Brom went ‘full chisel’ to the Justice of the Peace, made oath of the facts of the case, and prayed sureties for the peace against Barent.—Knickerbocker Mag., xlviii. 440 (Oct.).
1856. A friend of ours … while passing a house, observed a little child at the door with what he considered a very dangerous play-thing, namely, a chisel; and thinking it kindness, accordingly stepped in to inform the parent. ‘Madam,’ said he, ‘are you aware that your child has got the chisel?’ ‘Why, the mercy on me!’ exclaimed the mother. “Well, I knew something was the matter, for the child has been ailing a long time!’ The child was probably ‘going it full chisel’ at that very moment. What a dire disease!—‘the CHISEL!’—Id., 656 (Dec.).
1878. The only way to get that fellow to heaven would be to set out to drive him to hell; then he’d turn and run up the narrow way full chisel.—H. B. Stowe, ‘Poganuc People,’ chap. ix.
