full throttle

• full-throttle (attributive use)

full throttle (plural full throttles)

2. (literal or near-literal) A 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.

   Antonyms: idle, idling

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

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

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

     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.

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

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

4. (figurative) A maximum level of speed, effort, or risk.

   Synonyms: top gear, overdrive

   Antonym: low gear

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

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

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

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

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

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

• full bore
• balls to the wall
• balls-out
• pedal to the metal

• at full throttle

• step on it

full throttle (comparative more full throttle, superlative most full throttle)

1. All out; at maximum speed, effort, or risk.
   • 1988, Murray A. Pura with Loren Wilkinson, Mizzly Fitch: The Light, the Sea, the Storm, page 14:

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

   • 1996, Steven Jonas, The Essential Triathlete:

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

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

     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.

• full bore
• full tilt boogie