Ventre à terre, literally “belly on the ground”, means “at full speed”. It dates back to the 17th century. It is associated with the horses galloping, their belly coming nearer to the ground at that speed.

Ventre à terre, literally “belly on the ground”, means “at full speed”. It dates back to the 17th century. It is associated with the horses galloping, their belly coming nearer to the ground at that speed.