balls to the wall
Originating from aviation, where pushing the throttle balls to the wall meant maximum power, this phrase is now widely used to describe all-out effort.
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Definition
C1General
(informal, slang)To do something with maximum effort or commitment.
Example
- He went balls to the wall to finish the project before the deadline.
C1General
(informal, slang)To operate at maximum speed or intensity.
Example
- The team went balls to the wall during the final minutes of the game.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "balls to the wall":
balls aboutpedal to the metalgo to the wallfull throttleball outhit the wallfull speed aheadall outballs upgo hardgo ballisticplay hardballfull output the pedal to the metalno holds barredon the ballgo for brokefull onblue ballsgo all the waylong ballrock hardfull-court presshell-bent for leatherball upswing for the fencesball downfree ball