to the hilt

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

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

Just six months ago England coach Brendon McCullum backed Jos Buttler to the hilt despite questions over his captain's future.

From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2025

“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

Another shameful act should be punished to the hilt and just maybe it won’t happen again.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2023

The blade sank into the dead tree up to the hilt.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley