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

Sanders is playing the rivalry thing to the hilt.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 6, 2023

It’s a tough job, but Rebecca, an ebullient, wisecracking, fist-bumping whirling dervish, is more than up to the task and Sherman plays the offbeat role to the hilt.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2023

The comedy and drama are played to the hilt by an ensemble that includes Rose Byrne, Jon Hamm, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Chris O’Dowd and Melissa McCarthy, who earned an Oscar nomination for her role.

From New York Times ● Jul. 7, 2023

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

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver