go the whole hog
Meaning
To do something as completely as possible; commit fully and do it without holding back.
Origin
Often linked to the idea of using the entire pig (“whole hog”) rather than wasting any part, so it came to mean doing something fully and without reservation. The phrase is recorded in English from the 19th century; its exact origin is uncertain.
Notes
A fairly informal, emphatic way to say “do it fully.” Often used about committing resources/effort. Can imply “no half measures,” sometimes with a hint of extravagance.
Examples
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If you're going to repaint the kitchen, you might as well go the whole hog and replace the cabinets too.
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For his 30th birthday, she went the whole hog and rented a rooftop bar for the night.
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We could just patch the website, but I'd rather go the whole hog and rebuild it properly.
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They decided to go the whole hog and book business class for the long flight.
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He didn’t just apologize—he went the whole hog and wrote a letter to everyone he had offended.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase: usually “go the whole hog” (not *a* whole hog). Verb can inflect (go/went/going). Often followed by “and…” or used with “if… might as well go the whole hog.”
Synonyms
- go all out
- go whole hog
- go for broke
- go the whole way
- go all the way
Antonyms
- hold back
- do half measures
- pull your punches