Definition

Adjective 1. Complete, total, using maximum effort or resources: Describes an action, effort, or conflict that is undertaken with the full commitment of all available strength, energy, or resources, leaving nothing held back. - Example: The team made an all-out effort to win the championship. 2. Thorough, unrestricted: Describes something that is comprehensive and without limitations or reservations. - Example: The government launched an all-out campaign to improve public health.

Usage Examples

• As an adjective (typically before a noun):
  • The company is planning an all-out marketing blitz for the new product launch.
  • The two nations were on the brink of all-out war.
  • We need an all-out search to find the missing hikers before nightfall.

Advanced Usage

• The term often implies a final, decisive, or extreme level of effort, contrasting with partial or restrained actions.
• It can describe both physical conflicts (e.g., war, attack) and non-physical endeavors (e.g., push, attempt, support).
  • The senator promised all-out support for the new legislation.
  • The firefighters mounted an all-out assault on the blaze.

Variants and Related Words

• All-out is typically hyphenated, especially when used as an adjective before a noun. In some informal contexts or as an adverb, it may be written as two words ("all out").
  • Adverb form (informal): They went all out to decorate for the party.
• Full-scale (adj.): Similar in meaning, often used interchangeably with "all-out" to describe extensive, comprehensive actions.
• Full-blown (adj.): Developed to the complete extent, often used for situations (e.g., a full-blown crisis).

Synonyms

• Total
• Complete
• Maximum
• Unrestricted
• Thoroughgoing
• Full-scale

Related Phrases

• To go all out: A phrasal verb meaning to put forth the maximum possible effort or to spare no expense.
  • Example: For their anniversary, they went all out and booked a luxury cruise.
• All-out war: A common collocation describing a state of total war, with no limitations on the weapons or tactics used.
  • Example: The conflict escalated from a border skirmish into all-out war.

Related Idioms

• Pull out all the stops: To do everything possible to achieve a result, using all available resources. This idiom is very close in meaning to "go all out."
  • Example: The director pulled out all the stops to make the film a spectacular success.

Adjective

1. using all available resources
   • all-out war
   • a full-scale campaign against nuclear power plants