balls to the wall

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 engine at maximum power. Analogous to.

Not related to the term, which refers to steam engine machinery.

Not related to the vulgar sense of.

Adverb

 * 1)  With maximum effort or commitment.
 * 2)  ; (at) maximum speed.
 * 1)  ; (at) maximum speed.
 * 1)  ; (at) maximum speed.
 * 1)  ; (at) maximum speed.
 * 1)  ; (at) maximum speed.