put the pedal to the metal
Go full throttle
Put the pedal to the metal means to accelerate a vehicle to maximum speed by pressing the gas pedal all the way to the floor.
More broadly, it means to proceed with maximum effort or urgency: We need to put the pedal to the metal if we're going to meet this deadline.
The phrase evokes the image of a driver's foot pushing the accelerator until it touches the metal floorboard.
Increase in velocity
- throttlePower flow controller
- zoomRapid movement or magnification
- raceCompetition of speed
- turboExhaust-powered compressor
velocity · overdrive · redline · horsepower · nitro · vroom · speeding · dragster
Quick sudden movement
- hastenTo accelerate or rush
- hurryMove with urgency
- expediteSpeed up a process
- quickenTo accelerate or animate
hustle · scramble · crunch time · deadline · time pressure · sprint · dash · race against time
- all outComplete and unreserved
- full forceComplete power applied
- surgeSudden powerful increase
- escalateIncrease in severity
go hard · hold nothing back · ramp up · crank up · turn up · dig deep · beast mode · no holds barred
accelerate
Increase in velocity
turbo · velocity · overdrive · redline · horsepower · nitro · vroom · speeding · dragster · supercar
rush
Quick sudden movement
quicken · hustle · scramble · crunch time · deadline · time pressure · sprint · dash · race against time · full steam ahead
maximum effort
- all outComplete and unreserved
- full forceComplete power applied
- surgeSudden powerful increase
escalate · go hard · hold nothing back · ramp up · crank up · turn up · dig deep · beast mode · no holds barred · go for broke
put the pedal to the metalhit the brakes
slam on the brakes · brake · slow down · come to a stop · decelerate
put the pedal to the metaltake it easy
Advice to relax
hold back · ease up · take your time · slow your roll · pull back
put the pedal to the metaltake one's time
Act without haste
slow and steady · stop and smell the roses · pace oneself · proceed with caution · play it safe
putter, pedals, pedaled, pedaling, pedaller, metals, metallic, metallurgy