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• all-out
  all-out

  adjective

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

all-out

American  

[awl-aut] / 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

See Examples For:

all-out all out

The U.S. had a contingency plan ready in response, which might have escalated into all-out war.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

The two sides produced another thrilling game, just as they did three months ago, exchanging 11 tries as the all-out attack approach to the new season continued.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

State news agency Xinhua said Chinese President Xi Jinping had urged "all-out" rescue operations, but did not provide figures on injuries or deaths.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

He warned Putin against invading Ukraine, citing intelligence the U.S. collected about his plans for an all-out assault.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

Would an all-out rupture between the two of them cause the whole civil rights movement to lose ground?

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

I think it must be so important, so very important, because states have gone all out to try to maintain an execution method that looks like something else.

From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026

Sri Lanka lost two wickets without a run on the board and crumbled to 45 all out in less than 10 overs of chaos that included three run-outs.

From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026

Neither Winterich nor Ekerdt suggested I keep everything, and neither suggested I throw it all out, either.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026

Eventually, Abbas poked the pace of Josh Tongue to point before Razaullah was stumped off Lawrence from the final ball of the day to leave Pakistan 453 all out.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

ME: You’ll figure it all out, I promise.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King

Related Words

• full-blown
• full-scale