full throttle

plural full throttles · alternative attributive full-throttle

1. countableuncountableA maximum setting on an engine or motor control: especially, the totally open position of a valve for air intake, but also any corresponding maximum setting.

   Under full throttle, your car is just on the border of maximum traction

   2003, Bob Bondurant with John Blakemore, Bob Bondurant on High Performance Driving, page 85

   2 more examples

   there was no further sign of any Nazi planes, Perry banked southward and went roaring home to Base on full throttles

   1943, Johnston Carroll, “Wings of the North”, in Leo Margulies, editor, Flying Wildcats, page 127

   its regs and serirs over which Land Rovers can race with full throttles and little chance of meeting any obstacle larger than a fist-sized stone.

   1975, John Innes Clarke, An Advanced Geography of Africa, page 43

   Synonyms: full bore, balls to the wall, balls-out, pedal to the metal · Antonyms: idle, idling

2. countablefigurativelyuncountableA maximum level of speed, effort, or risk.

   I'm in the full throttles of an embrace and this is wonderful.

   1999, David M. Jacobs, The Threat: Revealing the Secret Alien Agenda, page 228

   2 more examples

   In the third week Dr. Gale shifted into full throttle back pedal.

   2003, Jennifer Hendricks with Gordon Hendricks, Slim to None: A Journey Through the Wasteland of Anorexia Treatment, page 176

   The full-throttle growth was still in place, as it had been as long as I could remember.

   2008, Otis L Graham, Jr., Immigration Reform and America's Unchosen Future, page 193

   Synonyms: top gear, overdrive · Antonyms: low gear

comparative more full throttle · superlative most full throttle · alternative attributive full-throttle

1. All out; at maximum speed, effort, or risk.

   The other, the Christina Covey, there was another that never knowed the harbour, why, she come in full throttle

   1988, Murray A. Pura with Loren Wilkinson, Mizzly Fitch: The Light, the Sea, the Storm, page 14

   2 more examples

   Virtually all exercise authorities recommend some kind of warm-up period in each session before you go full throttle

   1996, Steven Jonas, The Essential Triathlete

   If Nonna had seen them, she would do the same as Dad, but I looked back to see her focused full throttle on whatever it was George was saying.

   2006, Dorothea Benton Frank, Full of Grace, page 212

   Synonyms: full tilt boogie