Term used to describe an intense, or extreme situation.
Origin: In aviation, the throttles (or power levers) are usually sticks with ball shaped ends. When a pilot wants full power, he moves the throttle forward towards the front wall of the cockpit. Thus, "balls to the walls" meant "full power".
Origin: In aviation, the throttles (or power levers) are usually sticks with ball shaped ends. When a pilot wants full power, he moves the throttle forward towards the front wall of the cockpit. Thus, "balls to the walls" meant "full power".
by davechandler March 07, 2005
When you take a risk, or doing something that you normally would be not inclined to do; doing something dangerous some may see as foolish or 'crazy'; just doing 'it'
When crossing a busy street to meet his friends, Ian saw a truck coming at him at a high velocity, instead of stopping and waiting for the truck to pass by, Ian decided to go balls to the walls and cross the street anyway, impressing the friends he was trying to catch up with.
by Omega_Pirate December 27, 2006
When a group of people create a team or group that dominates all other competition. This group has become a dynasty and unbeatable. "Balls to the Walls" = Victorious
A group of guys decide to play on a indoor soccer team. Their "balls to the walls " and go on to have a perfect season and win the championship.
by ScruffDog February 25, 2008
by Dobert November 18, 2007
term used by pilots. when accelerating quickly, the throttle is pushed all the way to the panel and the throttle lever (ball) actually touches the panel (wall). Hence, balls to the wall.
by Geoff Ahn September 30, 2003
To push to the limit, go all out, full speed.
A very colorful phrase, one needs to be careful when using "balls to the wall". Although its real origin is very benign, mos people assume it is a reference to testicles.
In fact it is from fighter planes. The "balls" are knobs atop the plane's throttle control. Pushing the throttle all the way forward, to the wall of the cockpit, is to apply full throttle.
A very colorful phrase, one needs to be careful when using "balls to the wall". Although its real origin is very benign, mos people assume it is a reference to testicles.
In fact it is from fighter planes. The "balls" are knobs atop the plane's throttle control. Pushing the throttle all the way forward, to the wall of the cockpit, is to apply full throttle.
by blahblahblah March 30, 2005
This term significantly predates airplanes all together. The term "balls to the wall" originated with James Watt's invention of the centrifugal governor used on early steam engines (circa 1774, well before the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk). Over the years, these types of governors were adapted for use on various other types of engines, including many aircraft engines. Some aircraft have a ball shape at the end of the throttle control, which is actually a clever reference to the governor mechanism, no doubt conceived by a witty designer. It is easy to see where one could get the (wrong) impression that "balls to the wall" would indicate the position of the throttle lever, when in fact, the term, strictly speaking, is a reference to the position of the weights on the governor.
by engineering etymologist July 20, 2010