percussive maintenance UK /pəˈkʌsɪv ˈmeɪnt(ə)nəns/US /pɚˈkʌsɪv ˈmeɪnt(ə)nəns/ noun1 •(humorous) The use of physical concussion, such as a knock or a tap, in an attempt to make a malfunctioning device work.If percussive maintenance and other home remedies have failed, you should try running a general diagnostic utility. Better yet, run several. — 1986