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to the hilt

Idioms

Also, up to the hilt. Completely, to the maximum degree, as in The house was mortgaged up to the hilt. This idiom alludes to the handle (hilt) of a sword, the only portion that remains out when the weapon is plunged all the way in. The figurative use of the term was first recorded in 1687.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

to the hilt

American refiners including Marathon Petroleum MPC 2.50%increase; green up pointing triangle and Valero VLO 2.44%increase; green up pointing triangle say they are cranking out diesel to the hilt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026

Suzy Spilling and her husband Colin invested in four rental properties to fund their retirement - including two flats in Salford "mortgaged to the hilt".

From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2025

Still, he was a perfect match for Yang, who played Santos to the hilt in various appearances on Weekend Update and in opening sketches.

From New York Times ● May 20, 2024

“Many consumers are levered to the hilt — maxed out on debt and barely keeping their heads above water,’’ said Allan Schweitzer, a portfolio manager at credit-focused investment firm Beach Point Capital Management.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 24, 2024

He recalled the way his father had tensed, hand flying to the hilt of his hanjari.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023