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.

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

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

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

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2023

Plus, these men in the pageant were just carrying it to the hilt.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

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