Phrase guide

hit the gas

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To go; go faster.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, idiomatic

Examples

  • They're gaining on you; you'd better hit the gas, now!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: gas, hit the accelerator, lay tracks, put the pedal to the metal, step on the gas

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To advance or do something more quickly or with more energy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hit the accelerator, step on the gas

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Suggesting the use of a gas pedal, or accelerator.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: painaa talla pohjaan — to go faster
  • French: mettre les gaz — to go faster
  • German: Gas geben — to go faster
  • Portuguese: pisar fundo — to go faster
  • Russian: жать на газ (žatʹ na gaz) — to go faster
  • Russian: газану́ть (gazanútʹ) — to go faster
  • Russian: газова́ть (gazovátʹ) — to go faster
  • Spanish: acelerar a fondo — to go faster
  • Spanish: acelerar — to go faster
  • Swedish: trampa på gasen — to go faster