put the pedal to the metal

pedal to the metal

1. Drive as fast as you can; push the accelerator down. We're going to be late—pedal to the metal!
2. Do something with maximum speed or effort. Pedal to the metal, boys—we need to get these packages shipped by the end of the day.
See also: metal, pedal

put the pedal to the metal

1. To press down the accelerator (of an automobile) as far as possible; to accelerate to or travel at the maximum speed. It would normally take us three days driving to New York from Colorado, but with my brother putting the pedal to the metal, we made it in two. We're going to be late—put the pedal to the metal!
2. By extension, to do something with maximum speed or effort. Put the pedal to the metal, boys—we need to get these packages shipped by the end of the day.
See also: metal, pedal, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put the pedal to the metal

Sl. to press a car's accelerator to the floor; to drive very fast. Let's go, man. Put the pedal to the metal. Put the pedal to the metal, and we'll make up some lost time.
See also: metal, pedal, put
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

put the pedal to the metal

INFORMAL
If you put the pedal to the metal, you do something with as much speed and effort as possible. He is putting the pedal to the metal to deal with his critics. Note: Other verbs such as keep and have are sometimes used instead of put. Our players kept the pedal to the metal all season long. Note: This expression comes from the idea of pressing a car's accelerator (= pedal that makes it go faster).
See also: metal, pedal, put
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

keep/put the ˌpedal to the ˈmetal

(American English, informal)
1 drive a car quickly: Look, we’re running a little late so we kind of need to put the pedal to the metal.
2 work hard; try to do something quickly: If we really put the pedal to the metal, Canada’s economy could certainly produce a third more than it does today.
Pedal in this idiom refers to the flat bar in a car that you press with your foot in order to make the car move more quickly (= the accelerator/gas pedal). The metal is the floor of the car.
See also: keep, metal, pedal, put
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

put the pedal to the metal

tv. to press a car’s accelerator to the floor; to floor it. Put the pedal to the metal, and we’re out of here.
See also: metal, pedal, put
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • pedal to the metal
  • with the pedal to the metal
  • keep/put the pedal to the metal
  • put the hammer down
  • have a heavy foot
  • give 110%
  • have a lead foot
  • punch it
  • go for the fences
  • do (something) up brown
References in periodicals archive
Despite the fact that all the other drivers were clearly struggling to start their cars, he gave the thumbs-up sign and put the pedal to the metal.
Itinerant Kaohsiung mayor goes go-kart racing to promote tourism
Peter, who co-owns Boots opticians in Airdrie town centre with his wife, explained what made him put the pedal to the metal to the Advertiser, telling us: "I've had members of my family who have been affected by cancer and a loved one is currently receiving treatment from the Beatson.
Sights set on raising funds for cancer charity
"To achieve net zero, we have to put the pedal to the metal on our world-leading wind industry," said Renewable UK deputy chief executive Emma Pinchbeck.
Britain must cut emissions to zero by mid-century, government told
On June 22, professionals from the Northeast Ohio Dukes stunt team will put the pedal to the metal on a 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am and recreate the iconic Bandit jump from the classic 1977 film starring Burt Reynolds.
Carlisle Events adds 'Smokey and the Bandit'-themed stunt jump to Chevrolet show
Summary: Pune (Maharashtra) [India] Feb 28 (ANI): Keeping your company up and running requires both a sound strategy and the right funds to put the pedal to the metal. Rather than relying on traditional forms of credit, borrow funds like you run your businessaAC"on your own termsaAC"with a Flexi Business Loan from Bajaj Finserv.
Get cash on your terms with flexi business loans from Bajaj Finserv
Over 225 students and teaching staff from universities across Karachi along with citizens belonging to cycling group, Critical Mass Karachi, will put the pedal to the metal as they zip through a route that starts at Aga Khan University and passes by the Karachi School of Business and Leadership, Liaquat National Medical College and College of Nursing as well as Bahria University.
University students and teaching faculty to be part of Traffic light bikeathon
With over 50 racers, in three race classes: Super Sporting Class, Sporting Class and Promotional Class, a new three-leg race format and car specifications upgrade particularly for the Super Sporting Class will further surely put the pedal to the metal.
New high for five
That's great, but fans, for the sake of their mental and emotional health, probably wish their precious team would come out after halftime breaks and put the pedal to the metal. SIU led at the half by 10 (42-32) but came out flat offensively in the second half.
Salukis take care of Indiana State
If the administration intends to offer up a quick deliverable to show that it is willing to put the pedal to the metal in its pursuit of a"free and open Indo-Pacific," authorising further rotational USMC deployments in Asia might be one way to do that.
The US Is Considering Deploying Another Marine Expeditionary Unit To Asia
In the second Northumbria Sport Foundation Adventure Challenge of the academic year, the 10-strong squad put the pedal to the metal in rural Northumberland.
Students get on their bikes for Kielder trek; cycling
PETROLHEADS who have always wanted to put the pedal to the metal now have the opportunity to do just that - and contribute to charity.
Bee the best for Beatson; Cancer charity give supercar owners a chance to Race the Runway at Edinburgh Airport
Keane insists Hendrick must now put the pedal to the metal to fulfil his potential after a star showing at Euro 2016.
ROY WON'T STAND FOR JEFF STALLING.
it's time to jump behind the wheel of some iconic cars and put the pedal to the metal through Ventura Bay, a sprawling urban playground.
games with Steve Wollaston
fastfacts Model: DS 5 150 Price: PS29,560 Mechanical: 1,997cc, 4cyl driving front manual gearbox Max sPeed: 0-62MPh: 10.9 coMbined insurance co2 eMissions: biK rating: Warranty: It's reasonably quiet unless you really put the pedal to the metal and the cabin does a good job of keeping external noise where it belongs - away from the DS 5's occupants.
It's the D- -5! YES; TEST DRIVE DS 5