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all out

 
Dictionary: all out

adv.
With every possible effort: worked all out to make the deadline.


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Idioms: all out
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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: all out
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adj

Definition: strenuous
Antonyms: half-hearted

adv

Definition: strenuously
Antonyms: lackadaisically


WordNet: all out
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Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The verb has one meaning:

Meaning #1: come forth or out
  Synonyms: come out, pop out


 
 
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all-out
full-scale
Wran, Neville Kenneth (Quotes By)

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Copyrights:

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.  Read more
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.  Read more
Answers Corporation Antonyms. © 1999-2009 by Answers Corporation. All rights reserved.  Read more
WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.  Read more

 

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