all-out

American  

[awl-out] / ˈɔlˌaʊt /

adjective

1. using all one's resources; complete; total.

   an all-out effort.

   Synonyms:

   unremitting, exhaustive, unstinting

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all-out British  

adjective

1. using one's maximum powers

   an all-out effort

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adverb

1. to one's maximum effort or capacity

   he went all out on the home stretch

all out Idioms  

1. With all one's strength, ability, or resources; not holding back. For example, They are going all out to make the fund-raiser a success. This seemingly modern term dates from about 1300, when it meant “completely” or “wholly.” It now refers to making a great effort and is also used adjectivally, as in an all-out effort. This usage became current in America in the late 1800s, with reference to races and other kinds of athletic exertion. In the mid-1900s it gave rise to the phrase to go all out and was transferred to just about any energetic undertaking. Also see go whole hog.

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Usage

What does all-out mean? All-out describes using all of your resources or energy to accomplish something, as in Talya made an all-out effort on her midterm exams.The related phrase all out usually follows go and means to make a total effort, as in Jamal’s parents really went all out for his birthday party, treating all the guests to helicopter rides! Example: The away team won the game because they went for an all-out attack on the home team.

Etymology

Origin of all-out

1905–10; adj. use of all out utterly, completely, Middle English al out

Example Sentences

As the head of Japan’s Kwantung army in Manchuria, he flouted orders from Tokyo and maneuvered the government into an aggressive foreign policy that culminated in all-out war with China in 1937.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Those are not all-out bearish signs, but they are definitely indications that traders are still showing some concern through the volatility-based products.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

Last week the streets of Kyiv thronged with Western leaders marking the grim, fourth anniversary of the moment Russia launched its all-out war.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

“They make an all-out assault, exhaust a lot of energy and money, and nothing ever significantly changes, except for a token gesture here and there.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

His classmates blinked back at him, giggling, until he finally blurted out, “I need to go to the bathroom,” and then their giggles turned into all-out laughter.

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Related Words

• full-blown
• full-scale