put the pedal to the metal

idiom

US, informal
1
: to drive very fast
2
: to work very quickly
We are going to have to put the pedal to the metal if we want to finish on time.

Examples of put the pedal to the metal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He’s been spotted in the Bay Area, living his life, presumably enjoying the microclimates and the ability to put the pedal to the metal on Tasman Drive. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026 Time to put the pedal to the metal and head to one of the top auto collections in the country. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2025 Then, during the championship with Abington, the Redhawks put the pedal to the metal, scoring three unanswered touchdowns to pull away early with a 20-0 lead. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 20 July 2025 Frazier put the pedal to the metal with 36 points, 19 assists, seven boards and five steals. The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for put the pedal to the metal

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Put the pedal to the metal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/put%20the%20pedal%20to%20the%20metal. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!