English Explanatory Dictionary

balls to the wall

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adv
  1. With maximum effort or commitment.
  2. Full throttle; (at) maximum speed.

Pronunciation

en-au-balls to the wall.ogg

Word forms

balls to the wall balls-to-the-wall balls to the walls balls-to-the-walls

Etymology

First attested in the 1960s in the context of aviation, in reference to ball-shaped grips on an aircraft's engine controls (typically throttle, prop pitch and fuel mixture). Pushing these "balls to the wall" would put the aircraft at maximum thrust. Analogous to pedal to the metal. Not related to the term balls-out, which refers to a ball governor on a steam engine. Neither balls-out nor balls to the wall is connected with the vulgar sense of balls (“testicles”) except via folk etymology.

Synonyms

all out

Related words

go to the wall pedal to the metal
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