balls out
Holding nothing back
Balls out means with maximum effort, speed, or intensity—holding nothing back.
The phrase likely derives from mechanical governors where weighted balls swing outward at full throttle, though folk etymology connects it to testicles.
Despite the crude association, it's used broadly: We went balls out to finish the project on time.
The variant balls-out functions as an adjective: a balls-out performance.
- wide openFully accessible, unrestricted
- fast-pacedMoving or changing quickly
- all-inFully committed, nothing held back
- full throttleMaximum engine power
- full steam aheadComplete commitment to progress
full tilt · rapid-fire · running hot · overdrive · hell for leather · pedal to the metal · full blast · full bore · no holds barred · damn the torpedoes · go big or go home · leave it all · giving 110% · burn rubber · zero to sixty · send it · gonzo · turbocharged
balls outhalf-hearted
Lacking sincerity or zeal
halfhearted · lackadaisical · half-assed · phoning it in · going through the motions
balls outtimid
Lacking courage or confidence
cautious · playing it safe · timorous · faint-hearted · chicken
balls outrestrained
Held under control
measured · inhibited · controlled · reserved · buttoned-up
ball, balls, out, outed, outing, outs, outer, outermost, outward