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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-out] / 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

Ali Vaez, the Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, doubted a return to all-out war, saying that Trump was aware that such an escalation carried major economic and military costs.

From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026

India were bowled out in only 11.4 overs for 76, their second-lowest all-out total in T20 cricket, while the margin of 125 runs is India's largest defeat in a T20 international.

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026

The body politic wages war against itself in Shakespeare’s tragedy, and the all-out battle makes for a gripping spectacle in Griffith Park.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

The U.S. and Iran “continue to seek to avoid a return to all-out war and are preserving space for continued negotiations,” Evercore ISI analysts led by Sarah Bianchi said in a note Thursday.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

Once my parents realize they’ve been duped, there will no doubt be an all-out search.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

• full-blown
• full-scale