Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US black) to live a fast, exciting and varied life.

[1883		‘’Arry on His Critics and Champions’ in Punch 14 Apr. 180/1: We smart ’uns must put on the pace].
[1905		Sun. Times (Perth) 1 Oct. 1/4: The Haughty Highgate pill ‘widdy’ is going the pace a bit].
1983		R. Klein Jailhouse Jargon and Street Sl. [unpub. ms.].