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

Bowen’s River and Carmelo’s Wynona play their characters’ shortcomings to the hilt.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 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

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

Many of the leveraged buyouts that became bankruptcies in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis were the result of private equity firms saddling companies with debt to the hilt.

From Reuters • Mar. 23, 2023

As he shut the door behind him, his hand went unconsciously to the hilt of his sword to keep it from striking the wall or the desk.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss