put the hammer down
Speed up dramatically
To put the hammer down is to accelerate forcefully or increase effort dramatically.
The phrase originated with truckers—flooring the accelerator pedal—and spread to general use for any sudden surge of speed or intensity: We need to put the hammer down if we're going to finish on time.
It suggests decisive, aggressive action after a period of restraint.
- throttlePower flow controller
- full throttleMaximum engine power
- accelerateIncrease in velocity
- pedal to the metalMaximum automotive acceleration
- hit the gasIncrease vehicle speed suddenly
step on it · take charge · crack the whip · drive · strike · full steam ahead · push forward · horsepower · speed · pedal · nail · rev · go all out · swing · turbocharge · burn rubber · pound · step up
- maximum effortall-out, full throttle, go all out, go hard, all in
- hurry uphurry, hurry up, rush, hustle, move it
put the hammer downhit the brakes
slam on the brakes · slow down · brake · decelerate · coast
put the hammer downease up
Become less intense
take it easy · slack off · let up · back off · hold back
put the hammer downlook the other way
Willfully ignore misconduct
back down · cut some slack · soften · compromise · yield