all out
Meaning
With maximum effort or intensity; completely and without holding back.
Origin
From the literal idea of having nothing left “out” or remaining—using all resources/energy. Became common in sports and military contexts (“go all out”).
Notes
Most natural in “go all out” (= try as hard as possible). Positive/energetic tone, common in sports/work. Don’t confuse with “all out of” meaning “completely out of (something).”
Examples
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The team went all out to win the championship.
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For her birthday, they went all out with balloons, music, and a huge cake.
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With the deadline looming, everyone was working all out to finish the project.
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He went all out in the final minutes of the race, sprinting past two runners.
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If you're going to apply, go all out and make your portfolio the best it can be.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Often used as an adverbial phrase: “go all out,” “try all out,” “go all-out” (hyphenated adjective: “an all-out effort/attack”). Not used as *“be all out”* unless meaning exhausted/informal; different from “all out of + noun.”
Synonyms
- go all in
- give it your all
- go full throttle
- go full tilt
- leave it all on the field
Antonyms
- hold back
- take it easy
- pull punches