might and main, with

Idioms and Phrases

Strenuously, vigorously, as in She pulled on the rope with all her might and main . This expression is redundant, since the noun main also means “strength” or “power.” It survives only in this phrase, which may also be dying out. [Late 1200s]

Related Words

• effectively
• energetically
• forcefully
• intensely
• strongly
• vigorously