hitting the gas
Pressing the pedal
Hitting the gas means pressing a vehicle's accelerator pedal to speed up: She hit the gas and merged onto the highway.
Figuratively, it means accelerating effort or pace in any endeavor: We need to hit the gas on this project if we're going to make the deadline.
- accelerateIncrease in velocity
- gasFormless, expanding substance
- gas pedalVehicle acceleration control
- speedRate of motion
- pick up speedIncrease one's velocity
floor · floor it · rush · momentum · expedite · step on it · punch it · urgency · throttle · rev · go · torque · jolt · hit · burn rubber · lead foot · fast track · hustle
vehicle acceleration control
hitting the gasbraking
Reducing speed deliberately
slamming on the brakes · decelerating · slowing down · coasting · idling
urgency and momentum (metaphorical)
hitting the gasslamming on the brakes
Applying maximum stopping force suddenly
slowing down · holding back · pulling back · easing up · hesitating