(at) full throttle

As fast as something or someone can go. Once Tom caught the ball, he took off at full throttle toward the end zone. I started feeling nauseous on the way home because Kelly was driving full throttle on a windy highway. At the sound of police sirens, the partygoers bolted at full throttle in all directions.

at full speed

As fast as possible. I drove at full speed, and I still got there late. Do you think she has a chance to win the race, if she runs at full speed? They are planning this wedding at full speed. I hope they don't forget any major details.

throttle back

1. To slow one's vehicle down by or as by pulling back the throttle that controls the amount of fuel delivered to an engine. A noun or pronoun can be used between "throttle" and "back." Now, you'll want to throttle back as we approach the harbor. Investigators at the crash scene believe the driver failed to throttle the car back while taking the turn.

2. To slow down one's or something's activity or rate. A noun or pronoun can be used between "throttle" and "back." We're beginning to throttle production back in response to the stagnating economy. After a month of searching, police are throttling back their efforts to find the missing teenager.

throttle down

1. To cause a vehicle to reduce in speed by decreasing the flow of fuel to the engine. A noun or pronoun can be used between "throttle" and "down" to specify what is being slowed down. The engineer throttled the train down to a stop so that the crew could begin unloading the cargo. You'll want to start throttling down the engine as you pull into the harbor.

2. Of a computer or component thereof, to begin operating with difficulty and at a lower speed or level of efficiency. After about 30 minutes, the computer gets really hot and then the CPU starts throttling down to about half speed. The network will automatically throttle down if too many people are using the Internet at once.

at full speed

and at full tilt; at full throttle

as fast as possible. The motor was running at full speed. John finished his running at full tilt. When the horse reached the back stretch he was at full throttle.

throttle something down

to reduce the speed of an engine by adjusting the throttle. She throttled her engine down and came to a stop. She throttled down her engine.

at full throttle

full throttle

If you do something at full throttle or full throttle, you do it with all your energy and effort. Many violinists continue playing at full throttle well into old age. She was a high-powered Western businesswoman who went at things full throttle. Note: When someone is behaving like this, you can say they are at full throttle or are in full throttle. This was the actress whom I had seen in full throttle in performance the previous year. Note: Full throttle is used in other structures with a similar meaning. Palmer gives it full throttle on his latest album. Note: If an engine is operating at full throttle, it is operating at its maximum speed.

(at) full ˈthrottle

if you do something at full throttle, you do it with as much speed and energy as you can: He’s determined to live his whole life at full throttle.

The throttle is a device that controls the amount of fuel going into the engine of a vehicle.

throttle back

or throttle down

1. To decrease the speed of an engine with a throttle: The captain throttled back when we entered the harbor.

2. To decrease the speed of some engine with a throttle: The captain throttled back the engine as we approached the dock. The pilot throttled the engine back to idle.