burn rubber

burn rubber

To drive extremely quickly in a rubber-wheeled vehicle, especially a car. A reference to car tires which, if accelerated too quickly on pavement, can heat to the point of producing smoke and tire tracks. We're going to be late for the party, let's burn rubber!
See also: burn, rubber
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

burn rubber

Drive very fast, as in We'll have to burn rubber to get there in time. In this bit of automotive jargon, the rubber refers to tires that heat up when they rotate suddenly at great speed. [Slang; mid-1900s]
See also: burn, rubber
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

burn rubber

drive very quickly. informal
1998 Times Monsanto is burning rubber on a racetrack to become world leader in life sciences.
See also: burn, rubber
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

burn rubber

tv. to run a car engine so fast that one spins the tires so that rubber is left on the street. (see also lay (some) rubber.) When George was at the age when the greatest thrill was burning rubber, he began to shave once a week.
See also: burn, rubber
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • lay (some) rubber
  • lay rubber
  • lay some rubber
  • rubber
  • nudge out
  • run over
  • stop behind
  • stop behind (someone or something)
  • reach speeds of
  • reach speeds of (up to) (some amount)
References in periodicals archive
BOY racers young and old are expected to burn rubber to make a beeline to the Midlands for a glimpse of what has been touted as the ultimate souped-up dream machine.
Not only did Diaz burn rubber while doing "donuts" with Jeremy Clarkson in the passenger seat, she swore like a trooper while driving her circuit, and even managed to top the show's leaderboard.
So sit back and enjoy as the pair burn rubber up Epsom's hallowed straight.
GET ready to burn rubber as Crazy Taxi screeches on to the PlayStation 2.
Frantic hip hop soundtrack matches the frenetic action as his gang burn rubber. Plenty of Ferraris and Mustangs to drool over...
Get on track and burn rubber in the sensational two-wheel game Ducati World on the PlayStation.