pedal-to-the-metal
Full throttle driving
Pedal-to-the-metal describes going at full speed or maximum effort, from the image of pressing a car's gas pedal all the way to the floor: We went pedal-to-the-metal to finish before the deadline.
The phrase works as an adjective or adverb: a pedal-to-the-metal approach, driving pedal-to-the-metal down the highway.
Speed control mechanism
- flooring itAccelerating with full force
- speedingExceeding posted velocity limits
- throttlePower flow controller
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
drag racing · muscle car · revving · horsepower · NASCAR · straightaway · nitrous · turbo
Quick sudden movement
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- crunch timeHigh-pressure final stretch
- sprintBrief maximum-speed effort
- race against timeUrgent struggle before deadline
scramble · fast-track · time-sensitive · pressing · accelerated · expedite · hurry · last-minute
Maximum engine power
- all-outWith complete effort
- no holds barredWithout rules or limits
- going hardExerting maximum effort
- pushing limitsApproaching maximum tolerance
maximum effort · overdrive · relentless · aggressive · hardcore · balls to the wall · full steam · uncompromising
accelerator
Speed control mechanism
- flooring itAccelerating with full force
- speedingExceeding posted velocity limits
- throttlePower flow controller
burnout · drag racing · muscle car · revving · horsepower · NASCAR · straightaway · nitrous · turbo · redline
rush
Quick sudden movement
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- crunch timeHigh-pressure final stretch
- sprintBrief maximum-speed effort
race against time · scramble · fast-track · time-sensitive · pressing · accelerated · expedite · hurry · last-minute · under the gun
full throttle
Maximum engine power
- all-outWith complete effort
- no holds barredWithout rules or limits
- going hardExerting maximum effort
maximum effort · pushing limits · overdrive · relentless · aggressive · hardcore · balls to the wall · full steam · uncompromising · breakneck
pedal-to-the-metaldead stop
Complete cessation of motion
at a standstill · slamming on the brakes · crawling · grinding to a halt · coasting
pedal-to-the-metalphoning it in
Performing without genuine commitment
half-assed · going through the motions · coasting · taking it easy · slacking off
pedal-to-the-metalslow and steady
Gradual but consistent
measured · cautious · deliberate · methodical · patient
pedal, metal, pedals, pedaled, pedaling, pedaller, metals, metallic, metallurgy