# hit the accelerator

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hit-the-accelerator
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Synonym of hit the gas.

## Examples

- Hit the accelerator so we are not late.
- When the road finally cleared, she hit the accelerator to pass the slow truck in front of her.
- Realizing they were falling behind schedule, the driver hit the accelerator, pushing the vehicle to its limit to reach the destination before nightfall.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.