balls to the wall

adverb

US, informal + sometimes offensive
: with maximum effort or power : all out
It's either get there when you get there or go balls to the wall. There's no in between.Joe McKinney, Dead City, 2006
balls-to-the-wall adjective
a balls-to-the-wall effort

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of balls to the wall was in 1975

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Dictionary Entries Near balls to the wall

Cite this Entry

“Balls to the wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balls%20to%20the%20wall. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

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