English Idioms

Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms

Pedal to the metal

Meaning

"Pedal to the metal" is an idiom that means to give something or someone your full effort or attention, to work as hard as possible, or to go all out. It's a phrase that's often used in situations where speed and intensity are important, such as when driving, exercising, or completing a task.

Usage

"I need to pedal to the metal on this project if I want to meet my deadline." (In this context, "pedal to the metal" means working very hard and intensely to complete the project on time.)
"Let's pedal to the metal when we hit the highway - there's no time for slow driving!" (In this context, "pedal to the metal" means driving as fast as possible to reach our destination.)
"When it comes to exercise, I like to pedal to the metal every time." (In this context, "pedal to the metal" means working out as intensely and quickly as possible.)
"We need to pedal to the metal if we want to win this game." (In this context, "pedal to the metal" means working together with maximum effort and intensity to win the game.)
"I'm sorry, but I can't take it easy right now - I need to pedal to the metal on my work project." (In this context, "pedal to the metal" means giving my full attention and effort to the project to complete it successfully.)

Roots and History

The origin of "pedal to the metal" is unclear, but it's believed to have originated in motor sports or racing. In racing, drivers need to pedal their vehicles as fast and intensely as possible to reach the finish line first. Over time, the phrase became used more broadly to refer to any situation where speed and intensity were important.

Synonyms in English

Give it your all
Go all out
Leave no stone unturned
Put in maximum effort
Give it your best shot

Synonyms in other languages

French: Faire tout son possible
Spanish: Dar todo lo posible
German: Alles aufgeben
Italian: Farsi tutto ciò che è possibile
Portuguese: Dar todo o seu esforço