all out
American Heritage Dictionary:
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all out
adv.
With every possible effort: worked all out to make the deadline.
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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.
Antonyms by Answers.com:
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all out
adj
Definition: strenuous
Antonyms: half-hearted
adv
Definition: strenuously
Antonyms: lackadaisically
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Copyrights:
American Heritage Dictionary
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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