metal

bare metal

Computer hardware without an operating system. Right now, my new computer is bare metal, and I can't wait to build it and configure it just the way I want. Don't worry, I can work with a computer that's bare metal. I'll get it all set up for you. What am I supposed to do with this computer that's just bare metal? I can't use the Internet, or make spreadsheets, or anything!

See also: bare, metal

metal

slang Very intense or hardcore. A reference to heavy metal music, which is typically considered to have such qualities. Whoa, that's metal—how many hours did it take to get that tattoo?

metal mouth

1. The phenomenon of having a metallic taste in one's mouth despite the absence of any metal. A: "I have such a weird taste in my mouth, like I licked a metal pole or something." B: "I've heard that metal mouth can be a side effect of that new medication you're on."

2. slang A derogatory nickname for someone who has metal braces on their teeth. Stop calling your sister "metal mouth." She hates having braces enough as it is, and you're only making things worse. A: "Hey, nice hardware, metal mouth!" C: "Wow, calling someone names just because they want straight teeth. Real mature, Tommy."

See also: metal, mouth

metalhead

slang An enthusiast of heavy metal music. I enjoy listening to bands like AC/DC and Metallica, but I wouldn't call myself a metalhead exactly. This is a bar designed by and for metalheads, with speakers everywhere blaring heavy metal and every inch of its décor paying homage to the genre.

pedal to the metal

1. Drive as fast as you can; push the accelerator down. We're going to be late—pedal to the metal!

2. Do something with maximum speed or effort. Pedal to the metal, boys—we need to get these packages shipped by the end of the day.

See also: metal, pedal, to

put the pedal to the metal

1. To press down the accelerator (of an automobile) as far as possible; to accelerate to or travel at the maximum speed. It would normally take us three days driving to New York from Colorado, but with my brother putting the pedal to the metal, we made it in two. We're going to be late—put the pedal to the metal!

2. By extension, to do something with maximum speed or effort. Put the pedal to the metal, boys—we need to get these packages shipped by the end of the day.

See also: metal, pedal, put, to

with the pedal to the metal

1. Pressing down the accelerator (of an automobile) as far as possible in order to accelerate to or travel at the maximum speed. With the pedal to the metal, we peeled away from the bank and sped off onto the highway.

2. By extension, with maximum speed or effort. We packed the last of the shipments with the pedal to the metal so we could get done on time.

See also: metal, pedal, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

put the pedal to the metal

Sl. to press a car's accelerator to the floor; to drive very fast. Let's go, man. Put the pedal to the metal. Put the pedal to the metal, and we'll make up some lost time.

See also: metal, pedal, put, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

put the pedal to the metal

INFORMAL

If you put the pedal to the metal, you do something with as much speed and effort as possible. He is putting the pedal to the metal to deal with his critics. Note: Other verbs such as keep and have are sometimes used instead of put. Our players kept the pedal to the metal all season long. Note: This expression comes from the idea of pressing a car's accelerator (= pedal that makes it go faster).

See also: metal, pedal, put, to

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

with the pedal to the metal

with the accelerator of a car pressed to the floor. North American informal

See also: metal, pedal, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

keep/put the ˌpedal to the ˈmetal

(American English, informal)
1 drive a car quickly: Look, we’re running a little late so we kind of need to put the pedal to the metal.
2 work hard; try to do something quickly: If we really put the pedal to the metal, Canada’s economy could certainly produce a third more than it does today.

Pedal in this idiom refers to the flat bar in a car that you press with your foot in order to make the car move more quickly (= the accelerator/gas pedal). The metal is the floor of the car.

See also: keep, metal, pedal, put, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

put the pedal to the metal

tv. to press a car’s accelerator to the floor; to floor it. Put the pedal to the metal, and we’re out of here.

See also: metal, pedal, put, to

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.