pin the meter

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

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.