peg the needle

Verb

 * 1) To cause the hand of a dial indicator to reach the highest measurement, due to reaching the maximum measurable speed, pressure, etc.
 * 2) * 1957, Transactions of the New York Academy of Sciences.
 * "Even so, all six subjects immediately pegged the needle in their first attempt to reach midscale."
 * 1)  To achieve the maximum level of something, to max out, to pull out all the stops.
 * 2) * 2016, May 28, Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY Sports.
 * "The returning talent figures to be pegging the needle on the hype meter once again."
 * 1) * 2016, May 28, Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY Sports.
 * "The returning talent figures to be pegging the needle on the hype meter once again."
 * "The returning talent figures to be pegging the needle on the hype meter once again."