Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

balls-out

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.51 in modern English

Syllables
ball-s-out
IPA
10
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Extreme; extremely great.

American usage; Slang

adv

Descriptive of the use of a centrifugal governor at maximum speed, corresponding to full throttle.

adv

With great abandon.

American usage; Slang

adv

At the fastest possible speed.

American usage; Slang

Example Sentences

Etymology

Usually said to be from the maximum-speed state of a ball governor, whose balls are swung out to the near-horizontal position. Neither balls-out nor balls to the wall is connected with the vulgar sense of balls (“testicles”) except connotationally via folk etymology. (In that vein of apparent vulgar innuendo, see also rock out with one's cock out.)

Usage

Phrases

balls to the wall a synonymous term whose proposed etymologic connection to this one has been challenged

Frequently Paired Words

balls to the wall a synonymous term whose proposed etymologic connection to this one has been challenged

Questions

What does balls-out mean?
Extreme; extremely great.
Where does balls-out come from?
Usually said to be from the maximum-speed state of a ball governor, whose balls are swung out to the near-horizontal position. Neither balls-out nor balls to the wall is connected with the vulgar sense of balls (“testicles”) except connotationally via folk etymology. (In that vein of apparent vulgar innuendo, see also rock out with one's cock out.)

How to pronounce balls-out

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “balls-out”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “balls-out”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “balls-out” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.