highball

noun

1. A cocktail made from a spirit plus soda water etc.
2. (US)An all clear or full speed ahead signal.

   “A white ball hauled up to the crossbar indicated that the track was clear; a black ball, run up half way, meant stop. This was the origin of the use of the word "highball" to indicate a clear line ahead, which is still used in U.S.A. railway practice.”

3. A very high bouldering problem, often with a hard landing.

   “2014, EpicTV.com Austrian all rounder Alex Luger climbs what he describes as a highball boulder problem and what most people would call a solo.”

4. (abbreviation, alt-of, clipping)Clipping of highball glass, a tall glass tumbler used for serving highballs.

   “It's great for serving heavier drinks in. Highballs and pint glasses are excellent substitutes.”

verb

1. To make an estimate which tends toward exaggeration.

   “If we highball the price, it comes out to $240. If we lowball it, it's closer to $200.”

2. (US, dated, possibly, slang)To move quickly; to hightail.

   “Booster-equipped 628 highballs west at Glen Lake, Minn., back in 1947.”

   “The water-level route, the whistle and the loud staccato exhaust of this great engine recalled most vividly memories of the New York Central Hudsons highballing along the Hudson River between Harmon and Albany!”