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all-out

[awl-out]
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adjective
  1. using all one's resources; complete; total: an all-out effort.
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Origin of all-out

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

Synonyms

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unstinting, exhaustive, unremitting.

all

[awl]
adjective
  1. the whole of (used in referring to quantity, extent, or duration): all the cake; all the way; all year.
  2. the whole number of (used in referring to individuals or particulars, taken collectively): all students.
  3. the greatest possible (used in referring to quality or degree): with all due respect; with all speed.
  4. every: all kinds; all sorts.
  5. any; any whatever: beyond all doubt.
  6. nothing but; only: The coat is all wool.
  7. dominated by or as if by the conspicuous possession or use of a particular feature: The colt was all legs. They were all ears, listening attentively to everything she said.
  8. Chiefly Pennsylvania German. all gone; consumed; finished: The pie is all.
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pronoun
  1. the whole quantity or amount: He ate all of the peanuts. All are gone.
  2. the whole number; every one: all of us.
  3. everything: Is that all you want to say? All is lost.
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noun
  1. one's whole interest, energy, or property: to give one's all; to lose one's all.
  2. (often initial capital letter) the entire universe.
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adverb
  1. wholly; entirely; completely: all alone.
  2. only; exclusively: He spent his income all on pleasure.
  3. each; apiece: The score was one all.
  4. Archaic. even; just.
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Idioms
  1. above all, before everything else; chiefly: Above all, the little girl wanted a piano.
  2. after all, in spite of the circumstances; notwithstanding: He came in time after all.
  3. all at once. once(def 9).
  4. all but, almost; very nearly: These batteries are all but dead.
  5. all in, Northern and Western U.S. very tired; exhausted: We were all in at the end of the day.
  6. all in all,
    1. everything considered; in general: All in all, her health is greatly improved.
    2. altogether: There were twelve absentees all in all.
    3. everything; everything regarded as important: Painting became his all in all.
  7. all in hand, Printing, Journalism. (of the copy for typesetting a particular article, book, issue, etc.) in the possession of the compositor.
  8. all in the wind, Nautical. too close to the wind.
  9. all out, with all available means or effort: We went all out to win the war.
  10. all over,
    1. finished; done; ended.
    2. everywhere; in every part.
    3. in every respect; typically.
  11. all standing, Nautical.
    1. in such a way and so suddenly that sails or engines are still set to propel a vessel forward: The ship ran aground all standing.
    2. fully clothed: The crew turned in all standing.
    3. fully equipped, as a vessel.
  12. all that, remarkably; entirely; decidedly (used in negative constructions): It's not all that different from your other house.
  13. all the better, more advantageous; so much the better: If the sun shines it will be all the better for our trip.
  14. all there, Informal. mentally competent; not insane or feeble-minded: Some of his farfetched ideas made us suspect that he wasn't all there.
  15. all the same. same(def 9).
  16. all told. told(def 2).
  17. all up,
    1. Printing, Journalism.(of copy) completely set in type.
    2. Informal.with no vestige of hope remaining: It's all up with George—they've caught him.
  18. and all, together with every other associated or connected attribute, object, or circumstance: What with the snow and all, we may be a little late.
  19. at all,
    1. in the slightest degree: I wasn't surprised at all.
    2. for any reason: Why bother at all?
    3. in any way: no offense at all.
  20. for all (that), in spite of; notwithstanding: For all that, it was a good year.
  21. in all, all included; all together: a hundred guests in all.
  22. once and for all, for the last time; finally: The case was settled once and for all when the appeal was denied.
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Origin of all

before 900; Middle English al, plural alle; Old English eal(l); cognate with Gothic alls, Old Norse allr, Old Frisian, Dutch, Middle Low German al, Old Saxon, Old High German al(l) (German all); if < *ol-no-, equivalent to Welsh oll and akin to Old Irish uile < *ol-io-; cf. almighty
Can be confusedall awl (see usage note at the current entry)

Synonyms

See more synonyms for all on Thesaurus.com
2. every one of, each of. 14. totally, utterly, fully.

Usage note

Expressions like all the farther and all the higher occur chiefly in informal speech: This is all the farther the bus goes. That's all the higher she can jump. Elsewhere as far as and as high as are generally used: This is as far as the bus goes. That's as high as she can jump.
Although some object to the inclusion of of in such phrases as all of the students and all of the contracts and prefer to omit it, the construction is entirely standard.
See also already, alright, altogether.

out

[out]
adverb
  1. away from, or not in, the normal or usual place, position, state, etc.: out of alphabetical order; to go out to dinner.
  2. away from one's home, country, work, etc., as specified: to go out of town.
  3. in or into the outdoors: to go out for a walk.
  4. to a state of exhaustion, extinction, or depletion: to pump a well out.
  5. to the end or conclusion; to a final decision or resolution: to say it all out.
  6. to a point or state of extinction, nonexistence, etc.: to blow out the candle; a practice on the way out.
  7. in or into a state of neglect, disuse, etc.; not in current vogue or fashion: That style has gone out.
  8. so as not to be in the normal or proper position or state; out of joint: His back went out after his fall.
  9. in or into public notice or knowledge: The truth is out at last.
  10. seeking openly and energetically to do or have: to be out for a good time.
  11. not in present possession or use, as on loan: The librarian said that the book was still out.
  12. on strike: The miners go out at midnight.
  13. so as to project or extend: to stretch out; stick your tongue out.
  14. in or into activity, existence, or outward manifestation: A rash came out on her arm.
  15. from a specified source or material: made out of scraps.
  16. from a state of composure, satisfaction, or harmony: to be put out over trifles.
  17. in or into a state of confusion, vexation, dispute, variance, or unfriendliness: to fall out about trifles.
  18. so as to deprive or be deprived: to be cheated out of one's money.
  19. so as to use the last part of: to run out of gas.
  20. from a number, stock, or store: to point out the errors.
  21. aloud or loudly: to cry out.
  22. with completeness or effectiveness: to fill out.
  23. thoroughly; completely; entirely: The children tired me out.
  24. so as to obliterate or make undecipherable: to cross out a misspelling; to ink out.
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adjective
  1. not at one's home or place of employment; absent: I stopped by to visit you last night, but you were out.
  2. not open to consideration; out of the question: I wanted to go by plane, but all the flights are booked, so that's out.
  3. wanting; lacking; without: We had some but now we're out.
  4. removed from or not in effective operation, play, a turn at bat, or the like, as in a game: He's out for the season because of an injury.
  5. no longer having or holding a job, public office, etc.; unemployed; disengaged (usually followed by of): to be out of work.
  6. inoperative; extinguished: The elevator is out. Are the lights out?
  7. finished; ended: before the week is out.
  8. not currently stylish, fashionable, or in vogue: Fitted waistlines are out this season.
  9. unconscious; senseless: Two drinks and he's usually out.
  10. not in power, authority, or the like: a member of the out party.
  11. Baseball.
    1. (of a batter) not succeeding in getting on base: He was out at first on an attempted bunt.
    2. (of a base runner) not successful in an attempt to advance a base or bases: He was out in attempting to steal second base.
  12. beyond fixed or regular limits; out of bounds: The ball was out.
  13. having a pecuniary loss or expense to an indicated extent: The company will be out millions of dollars if the new factory doesn't open on schedule.
  14. incorrect or inaccurate: His calculations are out.
  15. not in practice; unskillful from lack of practice: Your bow hand is out.
  16. beyond the usual range, size, weight, etc. (often used in combination): an outsize bed.
  17. exposed; made bare, as by holes in one's clothing: out at the knees.
  18. at variance; at odds; unfriendly: They are out with each other.
  19. moving or directed outward; outgoing: the out train.
  20. not available, plentiful, etc.: Mums are out till next fall.
  21. external; exterior; outer.
  22. located at a distance; outlying: We sailed to six of the out islands.
  23. Cricket. not having its innings: the out side.
  24. of or relating to the playing of the first nine holes of an 18-hole golf course (opposed to in): His out score on the second round was 33.
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preposition
  1. (used to indicate movement or direction from the inside to the outside of something): He looked out the window. She ran out the door.
  2. (used to indicate location): The car is parked out back.
  3. (used to indicate movement away from a central point): Let's drive out the old parkway.
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interjection
  1. begone! away!
  2. (used in radio communications to signify that the sender has finished the message and is not expecting or prepared to receive a reply.)Compare over(def 52).
  3. Archaic. (an exclamation of abhorrence, indignation, reproach, or grief (usually followed by upon): Out upon you!
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noun
  1. a means of escape or excuse, as from a place, punishment, retribution, responsibility, etc.: He always left himself an out.
  2. a person who lacks status, power, or authority, especially in relation to a particular group or situation.
  3. Usually outs. persons not in office or political power (distinguished from in).
  4. Baseball. a put-out.
  5. (in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) a return or service that does not land within the in-bounds limits of a court or section of a court (opposed to in).
  6. something that is out, as a projecting corner.
  7. Printing.
    1. the omission of a word or words.
    2. the word or words omitted.
  8. Northern British Dialect. an outing.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to go or come out.
  2. to become public, evident, known, etc.: The truth will out.
  3. to make known; tell; utter (followed by with): Out with the truth!
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verb (used with object)
  1. to eject or expel; discharge; oust.
  2. to intentionally expose (a secret homosexual, a spy, etc.).
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Idioms
  1. all out, with maximum effort; thoroughly or wholeheartedly: They went all out to finish by Friday.
  2. be on the/atouts with, Informal. to be estranged from (another person); be unfriendly or on bad terms with: He is on the outs with his brother.
  3. out and away, to a surpassing extent; far and away; by far: It was out and away the best apple pie she had ever eaten.
  4. out for, aggressively determined to acquire, achieve, etc.: He's out for all the money he can get.
  5. out from under, out of a difficult situation, especially of debts or other obligations: The work piled up while I was away and I don't know how I'll ever get out from under.
  6. out of,
    1. not within: out of the house.
    2. beyond the reach of: The boat's passengers had sailed out of hearing.
    3. not in a condition of: out of danger.
    4. so as to deprive or be deprived of.
    5. from within or among: Take the jokers out of the pack.
    6. because of; owing to: out of loyalty.
    7. foaled by (a dam): Grey Dancer out of Lady Grey.
  7. out of it, Informal.
    1. not part of or acceptable within an activity, social group, or fashion: She felt out of it because none of her friends were at the party.
    2. not conscious; drunk or heavily drugged.
    3. not alert or clearheaded; confused; muddled.
    4. eliminated from contention: If our team loses two more games, we'll be out of it.
  8. out of sight. sight(def 25).
  9. out of trim, Nautical. (of a ship) drawing excessively at the bow or stern.
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Origin of out

before 900; (adv.) Middle English; Old English ūt; cognate with Dutch uit, German aus, Old Norse, Gothic ūt; akin to Sanskrit ud-; (adj., interjection, and preposition) Middle English, from the adv.; (v.) Middle English outen, Old English ūtian to put out, cognate with Old Frisian ūtia
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for all out

all-out

adjective
  1. using one's maximum powersan all-out effort
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adverb all out
  1. to one's maximum effort or capacityhe went all out on the home stretch
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out

adverb
  1. (often used as a particle) at or to a point beyond the limits of some location; outsideget out at once
  2. (particle) out of consciousnessshe passed out at the sight of blood
  3. (particle) used to indicate a burst of activity as indicated by the verbfever broke out
  4. (particle) used to indicate obliteration of an objectthe graffiti were painted out
  5. (particle) used to indicate an approximate drawing or descriptionsketch out; chalk out
  6. public; revealedthe secret is out
  7. (often used as a particle) away from one's custody or ownership, esp on hireto let out a cottage
  8. on sale or on view to the publicthe book is being brought out next May
  9. (of a young woman) in or into polite societyLucinda had a fabulous party when she came out
  10. (of the sun, stars, etc) visible
  11. (of a jury) withdrawn to consider a verdict in private
  12. (particle) used to indicate exhaustion or extinctionthe sugar's run out; put the light out
  13. (particle) used to indicate a goal or object achieved at the end of the action specified by the verbhe worked it out; let's fight it out, then!
  14. (preceded by a superlative) existingthe friendliest dog out
  15. an expression in signalling, radio, etc, to indicate the end of a transmission
  16. Australian and NZ archaic in or to Australia or New Zealandhe came out last year
  17. out of
    1. at or to a point outsideout of his reach
    2. away from; not instepping out of line; out of focus
    3. because of, motivated bydoing it out of jealousy
    4. from (a material or source)made out of plastic
    5. not or no longer having any of (a substance, material, etc)we're out of sugar
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adjective (postpositive)
  1. not or not any longer worth consideringthat plan is out because of the weather
  2. not allowedsmoking on duty is out
  3. (also prenominal) not in vogue; unfashionablethat sort of dress is out these days
  4. (of a fire or light) no longer burning or providing illuminationthe fire is out
  5. not workingthe radio's out
  6. unconscioushe was out for two minutes
  7. out to it Australian and NZ informal asleep or unconscious, esp because drunk
  8. not in; not at homecall back later, they're out now
  9. desirous of or intent on (something or doing something)I'm out for as much money as I can get
  10. Also: out on strike on strikethe machine shop is out
  11. (in several games and sports) denoting the state in which a player is caused to discontinue active participation, esp in some specified role
  12. used up; exhaustedour supplies are completely out
  13. worn into holesthis sweater is out at the elbows
  14. inaccurate, deficient, or discrepantout by six pence
  15. not in office or authorityhis party will be out at the election
  16. completed or concluded, as of timebefore the year is out
  17. in flowerthe roses are out now
  18. in arms, esp, in rebellionone of his ancestors was out in the Forty-Five
  19. (also prenominal) being outthe out position on the dial
  20. informal not concealing one's homosexuality
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preposition
  1. out of; out throughhe ran out the door
  2. archaic, or dialect outside; beyondhe comes from out our domain
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interjection
    1. an exclamation, usually peremptory, of dismissal, reproach, etc
    2. (in wireless telegraphy) an expression used to signal that the speaker is signing off
  2. out with it a command to make something known immediately, without missing any details
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noun
  1. mainly US a method of escape from a place, difficult situation, punishment, etc
  2. baseball an instance of the putting out of a batter; putout
  3. printing
    1. the omission of words from a printed text; lacuna
    2. the words so omitted
  4. ins and outs See in 1 (def. 30)
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verb
  1. (tr) to put or throw out
  2. (intr) to be made known or effective despite efforts to the contrary (esp in the phrase will out)the truth will out
  3. (tr) informal (of homosexuals) to expose (a public figure) as being a fellow homosexual
  4. (tr) informal to expose something secret, embarrassing, or unknown about (a person)he was eventually outed as a talented goal scorer
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Word Origin

Old English ūt; related to Old Saxon, Old Norse ūt, Old High German ūz, German aus

usage

The use of out as a preposition, though common in American English, is regarded as incorrect in British English: he climbed out of (not out) a window; he went out through the door

all

determiner
    1. the whole quantity or amount of; totality of; every one of a classall the rice; all men are mortal
    2. (as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural)all of it is nice; all are welcome
    3. (in combination with a noun used as a modifier)an all-ticket match; an all-amateur tournament; an all-night sitting
  2. the greatest possiblein all earnestness
  3. any whateverto lose all hope of recovery; beyond all doubt
  4. above all most of all; especially
  5. after all See after (def. 11)
  6. all along all the time
  7. all but almost; nearlyall but dead
  8. all of no less or smaller thanshe's all of thirteen years
  9. all over
    1. finished; at an endthe affair is all over between us
    2. over the whole area (of something); everywhere (in, on, etc)all over England
    3. typically; representatively (in the phrase that's me (you, him, us, them, etc) all over)Also (Irish): all out
    4. unduly effusive towards
    5. sportin a dominant position over
  10. See all in
  11. all in all
    1. everything consideredall in all, it was a great success
    2. the object of one's attention or interestyou are my all in all
  12. all that or that (usually used with a negative) informal (intensifier)she's not all that intelligent
  13. all the (foll by a comparative adjective or adverb) so much (more or less) than otherwisewe must work all the faster now
  14. all too definitely but regrettablyit's all too true
  15. and all
    1. British informalas well; tooand you can take that smile off your face and all
    2. Southern Africana parenthetical filler phrase used at the end of a statement to make a sl ight pause in speaking
  16. and all that informal
    1. and similar or associated things; et ceteracoffee, tea, and all that will be served in the garden
    2. used as a filler or to make what precedes more vague: in this sense, it often occurs with concessive forceshe was sweet and pretty and all that, but I still didn't like her
    3. See that (def. 4)
  17. as all that as one might expect or hopeshe's not as pretty as all that, but she has personality
  18. at all
    1. (used with a negative or in a question)in any way whatsoever or to any extent or degreeI didn't know that at all
    2. even so; anywayI'm surprised you came at all
  19. be all for informal to be strongly in favour of
  20. be all that informal, mainly US to be exceptionally good, talented, or attractive
  21. for all
    1. in so far as; to the extent thatfor all anyone knows, he was a baron
    2. notwithstandingfor all my pushing, I still couldn't move it
  22. for all that in spite of thathe was a nice man for all that
  23. in all altogetherthere were five of them in all
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adverb
  1. (in scores of games) apiece; eachthe score at half time was three all
  2. completelyall alone
  3. be all … informal used for emphasis when introducing direct speech or nonverbal communicationhe was all, 'I'm not doing that'
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noun
  1. (preceded by my, your, his, etc) (one's) complete effort or interestto give your all; you are my all
  2. totality or whole
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Related formsRelated prefixes: pan-, panto-

Word Origin

Old English eall; related to Old High German al, Old Norse allr, Gothic alls all
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for all out

out

v.

Old English utian "expel, put out" (see out (adv.)); used in many senses over the years. Meaning "to expose as a closet homosexual" is first recorded 1990 (as an adjective meaning "openly avowing one's homosexuality" it dates from 1970s; see closet); sense of "disclose to public view, reveal, make known" has been present since mid-14c.

Eufrosyne preyde Þat god schulde not outen hire to nowiht. [Legendary of St. Euphrosyne, c.1350]

Related: Outed; outing.

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out

n.

1620s, "a being out" (of something), from out (adv.). From 1860 in baseball sense; from 1919 as "means of escape; alibi."

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all

Old English eall "all, every, entire," from Proto-Germanic *alnaz (cf. Old Frisian, Old High German al, Old Norse allr, Gothic alls), with no certain connection outside Germanic.

Combinations with all meaning "wholly, without limit" were common in Old English (e.g. eall-halig "all-holy," eall-mihtig "all-mighty") and the method continued to form new compound words throughout the history of English. First record of all out "to one's full powers" is 1880. All-terrain vehicle first recorded 1968. All clear as a signal of "no danger" is recorded from 1902. All right, indicative of approval, is attested from 1953.

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out

adv.

Old English ut "out, without, outside," common Germanic (cf. Old Norse, Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Gothic ut, Middle Dutch uut, Dutch uit, Old High German uz, German aus), from PIE root *ud- "up, out, up away" (cf. Sanskrit ut "up, out," uttarah "higher, upper, later, northern;" Avestan uz- "up, out," Old Irish ud- "out," Latin usque "all the way to, without interruption," Greek hysteros "the latter," Russian vy- "out"). Meaning "into public notice" is from 1540s. As an adjective from c.1200. Meaning "unconscious" is attested from 1898, originally in boxing. Sense of "not popular or modern" is from 1966. As a preposition from mid-13c.

Sense in baseball (1860) was earlier in cricket (1746). Adverbial phrase out-and-out "thoroughly" is attested from early 14c.; adjective usage is attested from 1813; out-of-the-way (adj.) "remote, secluded" is attested from late 15c. Out-of-towner "one not from a certain place" is from 1911. Shakespeare's It out-herods Herod ("Hamlet") reflects Herod as stock braggart and bully in old religious drama and was widely imitated 19c. Out to lunch "insane" is student slang from 1955; out of this world "excellent" is from 1938; out of sight "excellent, superior" is from 1891.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with all out

all out

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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all

In addition to the idioms beginning with all

also see:

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out

In addition to the idioms beginning with out

also see:

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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.