all-or-nothing
[awl-er-nuhth-ing]
- not allowing for qualification or compromise; either fully or not at all operative: an all-or-nothing approach.
Origin of all-or-nothing
First recorded in 1755–65
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for all-or-nothing
Contemporary Examples
American politics has also too frequently become an all-or-nothing proposition, making the USA the United States of Agita.
We knew this would be a big swing, an all-or-nothing proposition.
The all-or-nothing crowd is focused on an anti-tax litmus test, default be damned.
But in the all-or-nothing world of hyper-partisans even trying to transcend political labels is a traitorous act.
Balance seems too subtle a concept for all-or-nothing absolutists.
Historical Examples
He liked and trusted Jaimie, but the man had no experience in this field—and this sounded like an all-or-nothing shot.
The Merchants of VenusA. H. Phelps
We have rejected any all-or-nothing posture which would leave no choice but inglorious retreat or unlimited retaliation.