I've never tried that, but it sounds like it could work, extra points
awarded for creative thinking.
There is usually a valve at the meter that can be shut off to make such
repairs. My local hardware had a key and valve turner they sold that
let you open the meter box and turn off the valve a crescent wrench
would do to turn it off, but the key is harder to substitute. That may
less than legal, but as Carlin said "Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it"