Full Swing / Go With A Swing [closed]

In what context do we usually use 'Go With A Swing /Full Swing'?

Can I use it when I'm having a casual conversation with my family and friends?

Jonathon Green, Chambers Dictionary of Slang (2008) offers this reference to "go with a swing":

swing n.² {1970s+} (US black) stimulation, excitement, something that makes things 'go with a swing'.

However, none of the four Black/African-American slang dictionaries I have on hand, published from 1994 to 2006, mentions "swing" in the sense of stimulation or excitement or the phrase "go with a swing," so Green's entry is something of an outlier on this point.

An Elephind newspaper database search of U.S. and Australian/New Zealand newspapers turns up 1,726 matches for "go with a swing" and one match for "go with a full swing" for the period from 1879 to 1980. The surprising thing here is that 1,626 of the matches are from Australia, 92 are from the United States, and 8 are from New Zealand. It thus appears that if "go with a swing" is an idiomatic expression, it is much more an Australian one than a U.S. one. A sampling of instances over the years suggests that the sense of the phrase remained remarkably consistent over more than 70 years.

From "The Artillery Band," in the [Hobart, Tasmania] Mercury (August 9, 1879):

Mr. Dickens, as Charlie Spraggs, and a lady amateur (whose name was not divulged), as Kitty, a pair of comic lovers, were highly diverting. The numoroua other roles were also rendered in a manner that made the comedy go with a swing through. The musical and military farce, Our National Defences, composed expressly for the occasion, concluded the programme, causing abundant laughter all over the house.

From "Maitland," in the [New South Wales] Australian Town and Country Journal (September 20, 1884):

CO-OPERATION.—The farmers are very busy in the formation of a farmers' co-operative society, and the thing promises to go with a swing.

From "Musical and Literary Entertainment," in the Goulbourn [New South Wales] Evening Penny Post (July 30, 1885):

The Rev. Mr. Martin said they had now to revert to the first item of the programme, and that was an address by himself. It would not be a long one. They had seen a specimen, a very good specimen, of the team he had to drive. The young men and young women present could, if they liked, make the society go with a swing; and he hoped it would go on and be a success. It was a society for the improvement of their minds, their manners, and their morals.

From "Irrigation Colonies," in the [Port Elliot, South Australia] Southern Argus (January 19, 1893):

What is really needed is a broad and public-spirited feeling and policy on the part of those doing such a work, and such men at its head who will gain the confidence of the public, and especially those who are inclined to invest. Moreover, everything must be well and clearly defined. We do not want a syndicate to advertise one thing and then offer something totally different when personal enquiry is made. The whole thing must be on straight lines, then, and only, then, will it go with a swing and prove a real success[.]

From "Royal Princess's Theatre: 'The Blue Moon'," in the Bendigo [Victoria] Advertiser (August 20, 1907):

And fifth, but by no means last, comes the last stranger, Mr. Goariet, as Moohaj—idol-maker, fun-maker, dancer, singer, juggler, general fool of the play. His "get-up" was splendid, his facial expressions good, and his local hits clever. His every entry presaged fresh fooling and fresh amusement, and it is difficult to say which was the more amusing, he or the Private Taylor. He was full of life and bustle all the time he was on, and was simply immense in "The Crocodile," and caused endless merriment in "Make a Fuss of Me." it was indeed a fine male quintet, and they made everything go with a swing, they and that clover fun-maker, Miss Wallace.

From "Vive La Belgique! Children Assist a Brave Nation: Grand Bazaar at Nhill School" in the Nhill [Victoria] Free Press (March 30, 1915):

Than ks to the excellent organisation of Mr. W. D. Thomas, and his staff, the whole proceedings passed off without a hitch. The teachers and children worked harmoniously together—each one, from the tiny dot to the oldest, labored earnestly and energetically to make the bazaar "go with a swing," and it is pleasing indeed to learn that their efforts have been crowned with success, and that the Nhill School has put up a record for the State of Victoria in gathering on a single day £105 to assist the poor distressed Belgians.

From "New Year's Day Sports," in the [Barcaldine, Queensland] Western Champion (January 1, 1927):

To-day's (Saturday) effort is undoubtedly going to be a fine one. A great deal of trouble has been taken with the arrangements and right from the start of the proceedings it is anticipated that everything will go with a swing, and will equal any sports gathering hitherto held in Barcaldine. The procession will be interesting, and there should be keen competition between those entering decorated vehicles.

From "Party Games: A Few Suggestions," in the [Perth] West Australian (January 21, 1938):

Parties are more frequent at this time of the year, when the kiddies are home from school, than at any other, and hostesses are sometimes in doubt as to how to entertain their guests. Even at family reunions, games and competitions are needed to make the evening go with a swing. Here are some novelty games which provide a lot of fun for the players.

From "Music for Bowlers," in the [Brisbane, Queensland] Courier-Mail (October 17, 1946):

Mrs. Morris, the wife of one of the visiting bowlers,has charmed her froends and many local residents with her soprano voice.

Mr. F. Molyneux, organist at St. Andrew's, Newcastle, has given recitals at Stanthorpe, Warwick, Toowoomba, and Brisbane, and Mr. A. Hooker, a commercial traveller, has contributed items on the violin.

The three have combined to make the trip go with a swing. Said one member yesterday: "As well as enjoyable bowls matches, we are being charmed by a feast of bright social functions."

And from "Seen at the Club," in the [Alice Spring, Northern Territory] Centralian Advocate (March 27, 1953):

Brightest party of the night, and there were two or three very gay shows, was a birthday party to popular Sister Marge Phillips. Marge was 2i and some months (according to friends present) right on the day. Many more happies to her.

There helping make the party go with a swing were Sister Noela Nash (Natch) and Ray Felgate. Tom and Pat Hogan, Ursula Dale, Mill Evans, Kev. Wren and Sister Audrey Frost, John Harris, Capt. Mich Hammett and June Piet, Dr. Roach was there, also Mrs. T. Harris.

It thus appears that in Australia, over a period of at least seven decades, "go with a swing" meant "be a success" or "win popular acclaim."

The phrase seems to have fallen off in popularity in recent decades, however. The numbers of Elephind matches, by decade, is as follows: 1870s, 1 match; 1880s, 5 matches; 1890s, 58 matches; 1900s, 140 matches; 1910s, 265 matches; 1920s, 365 matches; 1930s, 409 matches; 1940s, 262 matches; 1950s, 206 matches; 1960s, 6 matches; 1970s, 15 matches; and 1980s, 3 matches. Although copyright issues may be responsible for a general reduction in searchable newspapers in recent decades, the drop-off between the 1950s and the 1960s is quite sharp.

The only Elephind match for "go with a full swing" suggests that this phrase has (or had) a similar idiomatic meaning to "go with a swing." From "The Smart Set," in the Maryborough & Dunolly [Victoria] Advertiser (February 16, 1914):

An English newspaper, in writing of this company, says:‚"Something that is neither a concert, a vaudeville performance, nor a musical comedy, and yet partakes of all—such is the definition of the entertainment provided at the Queen's Hall by 'The Smart Set.'Individually the artists are admirably equipped. They are vocalists, one and all; one or two of them are splendid dancers; in quartette singing they would be hard to beat; and in ensemble they move about the stage with an abandon and neatness that makes the show go with a full swing from first to last."

The fact that this instance is reproduced from "an English newspaper" suggests that "go with a full swing"—and perhaps also "go with a swing"— originated in Britain and later migrated to Australia. The Elephind newspaper database doesn't include UK newspapers, but there is at least circumstantial evidence here that the idiom was current in the UK as well as in Australia more than a hundred years ago.