floored the accelerator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "floored the accelerator" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of driving to describe the action of pressing the accelerator pedal to the maximum, often to increase speed quickly. Example: "As the light turned green, he floored the accelerator and sped off down the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"We've already floored the accelerator.

The New York Times

Terrified, she floored the accelerator.

The New Yorker

Mr. Stanford floored the accelerator until the car reached 170 miles an hour.

The New York Times

Anthony J. Raganella put the cruiser in gear and floored the accelerator.

The New York Times

Each time my father floored the accelerator and swung out to pass, my mother drew frightened breath: "Fffff!

The New Yorker

He revved the motor, and as the lights on the "Christmas tree" flicked from red to yellow to green, he floored the accelerator.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But flooring the accelerator produces some undignified noises, and the 3,309-pound 3,309-poundrive model goes nowhere fast.

The New York Times

We pass the Henry Hudson Bridge, then follow the narrow, winding Saw Mill River Parkway to the bucolic Taconic State Parkway, flooring the accelerator at the mere hint of open highway.

The New York Times - Travel

It begins in familiar style with Bond flooring the accelerator of his Aston Martin and looking quite unperturbed as he weaves in and out of the oncoming traffic on a precipitous mountain road.

Independent

Flooring the accelerator on that "power of persuasion," Trump pulled out all the stops: According to Reuters, he declared the Freedom Towers design to be "the worst pile of crap architecture I've ever seen in my life".

Forbes

If you're always flooring the accelerator to get from one stop light to the next, and riding the brakes hard to stop in time, this will have a huge effect on your fuel mileage.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "floored the accelerator" to vividly describe a sudden and forceful increase in speed, particularly in narrative or descriptive writing. It adds a sense of urgency or excitement to the scene.

Common error

While "floored the accelerator" is acceptable in news and media, reserve it for less formal or descriptive contexts. In business reports or academic papers, opt for more neutral phrasing such as "accelerated rapidly" or "increased speed significantly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "floored the accelerator" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of fully pressing the accelerator pedal in a vehicle. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its use in describing driving scenarios, often emphasizing a rapid increase in speed. It paints a vivid picture of the action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "floored the accelerator" vividly describes the act of fully pressing a vehicle's accelerator pedal, typically to increase speed rapidly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While suitable for descriptive writing, narratives, and news reports, it's advisable to use more neutral alternatives like "accelerated rapidly" in formal or technical settings. Key takeaways include its effectiveness in conveying urgency or excitement, its register being generally neutral, and its frequent appearance in journalistic sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pressed the accelerator fully

Focuses on the physical action of pressing the pedal, less idiomatic.

Stepped hard on the gas

Emphasizes the force applied and uses a more informal term, "gas".

Opened up the throttle

Refers to increasing engine power, applicable in broader contexts.

Gave it full throttle

Similar to "opened up the throttle", but more concise.

Put the pedal to the metal

An idiomatic expression emphasizing maximum speed, more informal.

Accelerated rapidly

A more general description of increasing speed quickly.

Increased speed dramatically

Highlights the significant change in speed.

Maxed out the acceleration

Focuses on reaching the highest possible acceleration.

Sent the car speeding

Describes the result of acceleration rather than the action itself.

Sent the engine roaring

Focuses on the engine's response to the acceleration.

FAQs

What does "floored the accelerator" mean?

The phrase "floored the accelerator" means to press the accelerator pedal of a vehicle all the way down, typically to increase speed very quickly. It implies a forceful and rapid acceleration.

What is a less informal alternative to "floored the accelerator"?

In more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "accelerated rapidly" or "increased speed significantly". These options are more neutral and suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it correct to say "floored the gas pedal" instead of "floored the accelerator"?

Yes, "stepped hard on the gas" is a common and understandable alternative to "floored the accelerator". However, "accelerator" is the technically correct term for the pedal.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "floored the accelerator"?

"Floored the accelerator" is suitable for descriptive writing, narratives, and news reports where a sense of urgency or excitement is desired. It's less appropriate for formal or technical contexts.