Phrase guide

put the pedal to the metal

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 press the gas pedal to the maximum extent.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: floor it, redline

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To exert maximum effort.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: go all out

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

First use appears c. 1976. Originated in car racing.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: sparke sømmet i bund — make a rapid acceleration
  • French: mettre le pied au plancher — make a rapid acceleration
  • French: mettre les gaz — make a rapid acceleration
  • German: Vollgas geben — make a rapid acceleration
  • Polish: wciskać gaz do dechy — make a rapid acceleration
  • Polish: wcisnąć gaz do dechy — make a rapid acceleration
  • Russian: утопить педаль в пол (v) — make a rapid acceleration
  • Russian: дать газу (datʹ gazu) — make a rapid acceleration
  • Russian: поднажать (podnažatʹ) — make a rapid acceleration
  • Russian: притопить (pritopitʹ) — make a rapid acceleration
  • Russian: втопить (vtopitʹ) — make a rapid acceleration