in earnest

1. Also, in dead earnest . Serious, determined, as in We thought he was joking, but he was in earnest , or I'm in dead earnest about selling the business . In the variant, from the late 1800s, dead means “completely” or “thoroughly” and is used purely for emphasis. [c. a.d. 1000]

2. With purposeful or sincere intent, as in We settled down to study in earnest . [c. a.d. 1000]

Example Sentences

Nothing has pleased me so much, in a long time, as to see him such a dead-in-earnest, dyed-in-the-wool officer as he is now.

From Project Gutenberg

His dangerous, dead-in-earnest game of escape had no happy ending of reunion with his father.

From Project Gutenberg

It is always your “dead-in-earnest” man that gets up persecutions.

From Project Gutenberg

The dance was in full swing—a vehement, rhythmic, dead-in-earnest ranch dance.

From Project Gutenberg