This informal phrase describes the sequential phases of the Otto cycle in a four-stroke piston engine. It stands for the intake stroke pulling air and fuel in, the compression stroke pushing it to the top of the cylinder, the power stroke igniting the mixture, and the exhaust stroke pushing the spent gases out. Instructors use it to teach engine fundamentals to apprentices.
Heard on the job
If you have spark and fuel but it won't start, check your timing, because the suck, squeeze, bang, blow has to happen in the exact right order.