to the hilt

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.

Example Sentences

Clarke now warns that too many people are having to "mortgage themselves up to the hilt" for homes on new estates that are not always well built and with poor access to local services.

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Strahovski excels at playing white woman privilege to the hilt, and never as much as when she finds herself back on top, ready to evangelize for women’s oppression yet again.

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In statements and interviews, government officials insist the army is on the attack against rebels, whom they call terrorists, and Iranian emissaries have pledged to back Assad to the hilt.

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Let’s back him to the hilt and take it to Trump.

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

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