gas pedals

[/ɡæs ˈpɛdəlz/]
nounpl: gas pedals
pedais de acelerador
1. The foot-operated lever in a vehicle that controls the engine's throttle, regulating fuel flow and engine speed
He pressed down on the gas pedals to accelerate quickly.
Ele pisou nos pedais de acelerador para acelerar rapidamente.
2. In plural form, referring to multiple vehicle accelerators or in a comparative/figurative sense
The drivers hit the gas pedals hard during the race.
Os pilotos pisaram fundo nos pedais de acelerador durante a corrida.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'pedal de gás' is widely used in casual conversation despite 'pedal de acelerador' being the more technical term. Americans and New Yorkers often simply say 'the gas' when referring to acceleration. The expression 'put the pedal to the metal' is a quintessential American idiom emphasizing maximum acceleration.
NYC Slang
the gas
Synonyms / Sinônimos
acceleratorthrottleaccelerator pedal
Antonyms / Antônimos
brake pedalbrake

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
pedal de acelerador
Most common and formal usage in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
pedal de gás
Colloquial and commonly used in Rio
São Paulo
pedal de acelerador
Formal usage, also 'pedal de gás' in informal speech
Portugal
pedal do acelerador
European Portuguese usage, more formal structure

Related Words

acceleratethrottleenginefuel injectionbrake pedal

Related Idioms & Phrases

step on the gas
hit the gas
put the pedal to the metal
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