hit the accelerator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hit the accelerator" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe pressing the accelerator of a vehicle in order to increase speed. For example, "As soon as the traffic light turned green, she hit the accelerator and sped off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They just need to hit the accelerator".

The New York Times - Travel

Anger," Metallica's reaction is to hit the accelerator.

The New York Times - Arts

When she attempted to hit the accelerator, though, she instead hit the brakes.

The New York Times - Sports

I hit the accelerator and he steered; we mostly traveled in small circles.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Moore testified that he "probably hit the accelerator" as he jumped into the back seat.

The New York Times

It's easy to hit the accelerator constantly, or to hit the brake constantly.

The New York Times - Sports

The operator said later that she "was just trusting the tower" when she hit the accelerator.

The Washington Post

In theory, it might be time to hit the accelerator again, perhaps returning to $65bn-a-month 65bn-a-month

The Guardian - Business

You've got to be smart enough to know when to hit the accelerator and when to hit the brake.

The New York Times - Sports

Tira had hit the accelerator, as if frantic, at the prospect of Keith's arrival, to confirm her mastery of innuendo.

The New Yorker

Armed with empathy, give the people a compelling vision and find a way to hit the accelerator harder.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hit the accelerator" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly relates to increasing speed or effort toward a specific goal. For example, "After a slow start, the company decided to "hit the accelerator" on its marketing campaign."

Common error

Avoid using "hit the accelerator" in contexts where a gradual or cautious approach is more appropriate. The phrase implies a rapid and forceful increase in activity, which may not always be the desired effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hit the accelerator" primarily functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It describes the action of increasing speed or effort, either literally (in the context of driving) or metaphorically (in other contexts). Ludwig provides examples demonstrating both literal and figurative uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hit the accelerator" is a common idiom that means to increase speed or effort. It can be used literally in the context of driving, or metaphorically to describe accelerating progress toward a goal. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in news, sports, and business contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the register and choose more formal alternatives like "accelerate the pace" or "expedite the matter" in certain situations. Avoid overusing it when a more cautious approach is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

step on the gas

Similar meaning, but more informal.

put the pedal to the metal

Idiomatic and emphasizes maximum effort or speed.

speed up the process

Focuses on accelerating a task or project, not necessarily related to driving.

accelerate the pace

More formal way of saying to increase speed or tempo.

increase momentum

Suggests building on existing progress.

move faster

Simple and direct way to indicate increasing speed.

expedite the matter

Formal and business-oriented, focusing on efficiency.

boost performance

Highlights improvement in a specific area.

ramp up production

Specifically refers to increasing output in a manufacturing or production context.

kick it into high gear

Informal and suggests shifting to a higher level of effort.

FAQs

What does it mean to "hit the accelerator"?

To "hit the accelerator" means to increase speed or effort, often in a sudden or significant way. It can refer literally to pressing the accelerator in a vehicle or metaphorically to accelerating progress toward a goal.

How can I use "hit the accelerator" in a sentence?

You can use "hit the accelerator" in sentences like: "The team needed to "step on the gas" to meet the deadline", or "The government decided to "hit the accelerator" on renewable energy investments."

What can I say instead of "hit the accelerator"?

You can use alternatives like "step on the gas", "speed up the process", or "accelerate the pace" depending on the context.

Is "hit the accelerator" appropriate in formal writing?

While "hit the accelerator" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "expedite the matter" or "accelerate the pace".