pin the meter

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English

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Etymology

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In reference to the measuring needle looking as though it is pinned in place.

Verb

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pin the meter (third-person singular simple present pins the meter, present participle pinning the meter, simple past and past participle pinned the meter)

  1. (CB radio) To cause a meter to register its highest possible value.
    • 1958, The Radio Amateur's Handbook, number 35, page 490:
      If signals tend to pin the meter, the sensitivity can be reduced by adjustment of R1.
    • 1977, Amateur Radio, volume 33, page 59:
      It is not possible to do this using an ohmmeter because the current flowing will pin the meter and may cause damage to the movement or even burn out the coil.