put the pedal to the metal

Originating from car racing in the 1950s, this phrase means to push oneself or a vehicle to the maximum limit.

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Definition

B2Automotive

(informal)To accelerate a vehicle to its highest speed.

Example

When the road cleared, he put the pedal to the metal and sped off.

B2General

(informal)To exert maximum effort or speed in an activity or task.

Example

With the deadline approaching, she put the pedal to the metal to finish the project.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "put the pedal to the metal":

pedal to the metal hit the gas floor it step on it full throttle peed off full speed ahead put the brakes on give it some welly balls to the wall put the boot in put one's foot down push the limit hit the pavement get going find another gear crank up hoof it go all the way take the wheel go hard