balls to the wall

== English == === Alternative forms === 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. === Pronunciation === === Adverb === balls to the wall (not comparable) (US, idiomatic, slang) With maximum effort or commitment. Synonym: all out (US, idiomatic, slang) Full throttle; (at) maximum speed. [since the 1960s] ==== See also ==== go to the wall pedal to the metal === References === === Further reading === wide open throttle on Wikipedia.Wikipedia