balls-out

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English

Etymology

Usually said to be from the maximum-speed state of a ball governor, whose balls are swung out to the near-horizontal position. Neither balls-out nor balls to the wall is connected with the vulgar sense of balls (“testicles”) except connotationally via folk etymology. (In that vein of apparent vulgar innuendo, see also rock out with one's cock out.)

Pronunciation

Adjective

The metal balls of a centrifugal governor are pushed apart to a degree depending on the speed of a rotating shaft, providing negative feedback to the throttle

balls-out (not comparable)

  1. (US, idiomatic, slang) Extreme; extremely great.
    • 1976, CBer's Handy Atlas/Dictionary, page 9, column 2:
      He's making a balls-out run for Motor City by nightfall.

Adverb

balls-out (not comparable)

  1. Descriptive of the use of a centrifugal governor at maximum speed, corresponding to full throttle.
  2. (US, idiomatic, slang) With great abandon.
  3. (US, idiomatic, slang) At the fastest possible speed.

See also

  • balls to the wall, a synonymous term whose proposed etymologic connection to this one has been challenged

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