all out

[awl-out] Origin

all-out

[awl-out]
adjective
using all one's resources; complete; total: an all-out effort.

Origin:
1905–10; adj. use of all out utterly, completely, Middle English al out


unstinting, exhaustive, unremitting.

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All out is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

all

[awl]
adjective
1.
the whole of (used in referring to quantity, extent, or duration): all the cake; all the way; all year.
2.
the whole number of (used in referring to individuals or particulars, taken collectively): all students.
3.
the greatest possible (used in referring to quality or degree): with all due respect; with all speed.
4.
every: all kinds; all sorts.
5.
any; any whatever: beyond all doubt.
EXPAND
6.
nothing but; only: The coat is all wool.
7.
dominated by or as if by the conspicuous possession or use of a particular feature: The colt was all legs. They were all ears, listening attentively to everything she said.
8.
Chiefly Pennsylvania German. all gone; consumed; finished: The pie is all.
COLLAPSE
pronoun
9.
the whole quantity or amount: He ate all of the peanuts. All are gone.
10.
the whole number; every one: all of us.
11.
everything: Is that all you want to say? All is lost.
noun
12.
one's whole interest, energy, or property: to give one's all; to lose one's all.
13.
(often initial capital letter) the entire universe.
adverb
14.
wholly; entirely; completely: all alone.
15.
only; exclusively: He spent his income all on pleasure.
16.
each; apiece: The score was one all.
17.
Archaic. even; just.
18.
above all, before everything else; chiefly: Above all, the little girl wanted a piano.
19.
after all, in spite of the circumstances; notwithstanding: He came in time after all.
20.
all at once. once (def. 14).
21.
all but, almost; very nearly: These batteries are all but dead.
22.
all in, Northern and Western U.S. very tired; exhausted: We were all in at the end of the day.
EXPAND
23.
all in all,
a.
everything considered; in general: All in all, her health is greatly improved.
b.
altogether: There were twelve absentees all in all.
c.
everything; everything regarded as important: Painting became his all in all.
24.
all in hand, Printing, Journalism. (of the copy for typesetting a particular article, book, issue, etc.) in the possession of the compositor.
25.
all in the wind, Nautical. too close to the wind.
26.
all out, with all available means or effort: We went all out to win the war.
27.
all over,
a.
finished; done; ended.
b.
everywhere; in every part.
c.
in every respect; typically.
28.
all standing, Nautical.
a.
in such a way and so suddenly that sails or engines are still set to propel a vessel forward: The ship ran aground all standing.
b.
fully clothed: The crew turned in all standing.
c.
fully equipped, as a vessel.
29.
all that, remarkably; entirely; decidedly (used in negative constructions): It's not all that different from your other house.
30.
all the better, more advantageous; so much the better: If the sun shines it will be all the better for our trip.
31.
all there, Informal. mentally competent; not insane or feeble-minded: Some of his farfetched ideas made us suspect that he wasn't all there.
32.
all the same. same (def. 9).
33.
all told. told (def. 2).
34.
all up,
a.
Printing, Journalism. (of copy) completely set in type.
b.
Informal. with no vestige of hope remaining: It's all up with George—they've caught him.
35.
and all, together with every other associated or connected attribute, object, or circumstance: What with the snow and all, we may be a little late.
36.
at all,
a.
in the slightest degree: I wasn't surprised at all.
b.
for any reason: Why bother at all?
c.
in any way: no offense at all.
37.
for all (that), in spite of; notwithstanding: For all that, it was a good year.
38.
in all, all included; all together: a hundred guests in all.
39.
once and for all, for the last time; finally: The case was settled once and for all when the appeal was denied.
COLLAPSE

Origin:
before 900; Middle English al, plural alle; Old English eal(l); cognate with Gothic alls, Old Norse allr, Old Frisian, Dutch, Middle Low German al, Old Saxon, Old High German al(l) (German all); if < *ol-no-, equivalent to Welsh oll and akin to Old Irish uile < *ol-io-; compare almighty

all, awl (see usage note at the current entry).


2. every one of, each of. 14. totally, utterly, fully.


Expressions like all the farther and all the higher occur chiefly in informal speech: This is all the farther the bus goes. That's all the higher she can jump. Elsewhere as far as and as high as are generally used: This is as far as the bus goes. EXPANDThat's as high as she can jump.
Although some object to the inclusion of of in such phrases as all of the students and all of the contracts and prefer to omit it, the construction is entirely standard.
See also already, alright, altogether.

COLLAPSE

out

[out]
adverb
1.
away from, or not in, the normal or usual place, position, state, etc.: out of alphabetical order; to go out to dinner.
2.
away from one's home, country, work, etc., as specified: to go out of town.
3.
in or into the outdoors: to go out for a walk.
4.
to a state of exhaustion, extinction, or depletion: to pump a well out.
5.
to the end or conclusion; to a final decision or resolution: to say it all out.
EXPAND
6.
to a point or state of extinction, nonexistence, etc.: to blow out the candle; a practice on the way out.
7.
in or into a state of neglect, disuse, etc.; not in current vogue or fashion: That style has gone out.
8.
so as not to be in the normal or proper position or state; out of joint: His back went out after his fall.
9.
in or into public notice or knowledge: The truth is out at last.
10.
seeking openly and energetically to do or have: to be out for a good time.
11.
not in present possession or use, as on loan: The librarian said that the book was still out.
12.
on strike: The miners go out at midnight.
13.
so as to project or extend: to stretch out; stick your tongue out.
14.
in or into activity, existence, or outward manifestation: A rash came out on her arm.
15.
from a specified source or material: made out of scraps.
16.
from a state of composure, satisfaction, or harmony: to be put out over trifles.
17.
in or into a state of confusion, vexation, dispute, variance, or unfriendliness: to fall out about trifles.
18.
so as to deprive or be deprived: to be cheated out of one's money.
19.
so as to use the last part of: to run out of gas.
20.
from a number, stock, or store: to point out the errors.
21.
aloud or loudly: to cry out.
22.
with completeness or effectiveness: to fill out.
23.
thoroughly; completely; entirely: The children tired me out.
24.
so as to obliterate or make undecipherable: to cross out a misspelling; to ink out.
COLLAPSE
adjective
25.
not at one's home or place of employment; absent: I stopped by to visit you last night, but you were out.
26.
not open to consideration; out of the question: I wanted to go by plane, but all the flights are booked, so that's out.
27.
wanting; lacking; without: We had some but now we're out.
28.
removed from or not in effective operation, play, a turn at bat, or the like, as in a game: He's out for the season because of an injury.
29.
no longer having or holding a job, public office, etc.; unemployed; disengaged (usually followed by of): to be out of work.
EXPAND
30.
inoperative; extinguished: The elevator is out. Are the lights out?
31.
finished; ended: before the week is out.
32.
not currently stylish, fashionable, or in vogue: Fitted waistlines are out this season.
33.
unconscious; senseless: Two drinks and he's usually out.
34.
not in power, authority, or the like: a member of the out party.
35.
Baseball.
a.
(of a batter) not succeeding in getting on base: He was out at first on an attempted bunt.
b.
(of a base runner) not successful in an attempt to advance a base or bases: He was out in attempting to steal second base.
36.
beyond fixed or regular limits; out of bounds: The ball was out.
37.
having a pecuniary loss or expense to an indicated extent: The company will be out millions of dollars if the new factory doesn't open on schedule.
38.
incorrect or inaccurate: His calculations are out.
39.
not in practice; unskillful from lack of practice: Your bow hand is out.
40.
beyond the usual range, size, weight, etc. (often used in combination): an outsize bed.
41.
exposed; made bare, as by holes in one's clothing: out at the knees.
42.
at variance; at odds; unfriendly: They are out with each other.
43.
moving or directed outward; outgoing: the out train.
44.
not available, plentiful, etc.: Mums are out till next fall.
45.
external; exterior; outer.
46.
located at a distance; outlying: We sailed to six of the out islands.
47.
Cricket. not having its innings: the out side.
48.
of or pertaining to the playing of the first nine holes of an 18-hole golf course (opposed to in): His out score on the second round was 33.
COLLAPSE
preposition
49.
(used to indicate movement or direction from the inside to the outside of something): He looked out the window. She ran out the door.
50.
(used to indicate location): The car is parked out back.
51.
(used to indicate movement away from a central point): Let's drive out the old parkway.
interjection
52.
begone! away!
53.
(used in radio communications to signify that the sender has finished the message and is not expecting or prepared to receive a reply.) Compare over (def. 52).
54.
Archaic. (an exclamation of abhorrence, indignation, reproach, or grief (usually followed by upon): Out upon you!
noun
55.
a means of escape or excuse, as from a place, punishment, retribution, responsibility, etc.: He always left himself an out.
56.
a person who lacks status, power, or authority, especially in relation to a particular group or situation.
57.
Usually, outs. persons not in office or political power (distinguished from ins).
58.
Baseball. a put-out.
59.
(in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) a return or service that does not land within the in-bounds limits of a court or section of a court (opposed to in).
EXPAND
60.
something that is out, as a projecting corner.
61.
Printing.
a.
the omission of a word or words.
b.
the word or words omitted.
62.
Northern British Dialect. an outing.
COLLAPSE
verb (used without object)
63.
to go or come out.
64.
to become public, evident, known, etc.: The truth will out.
65.
to make known; tell; utter (followed by with): Out with the truth!
verb (used with object)
66.
to eject or expel; discharge; oust.
67.
to intentionally expose (a secret homosexual, a spy, etc.).
68.
all out, with maximum effort; thoroughly or wholeheartedly: They went all out to finish by Friday.
69.
be on the/at outs with, Informal. to be estranged from (another person); be unfriendly or on bad terms with: He is on the outs with his brother.
70.
out and away, to a surpassing extent; far and away; by far: It was out and away the best apple pie she had ever eaten.
71.
out for, aggressively determined to acquire, achieve, etc.: He's out for all the money he can get.
72.
out from under, out of a difficult situation, especially of debts or other obligations: The work piled up while I was away and I don't know how I'll ever get out from under.
EXPAND
73.
out of,
a.
not within: out of the house.
b.
beyond the reach of: The boat's passengers had sailed out of hearing.
c.
not in a condition of: out of danger.
d.
so as to deprive or be deprived of.
e.
from within or among: Take the jokers out of the pack.
f.
because of; owing to: out of loyalty.
g.
foaled by (a dam): Grey Dancer out of Lady grey.
74.
out of it, Informal.
a.
not part of or acceptable within an activity, social group, or fashion: She felt out of it because none of her friends were at the party.
b.
not conscious; drunk or heavily drugged.
c.
not alert or clearheaded; confused; muddled.
d.
eliminated from contention: If our team loses two more games, we'll be out of it.
75.
out of sight. sight (def. 25).
76.
out of trim, Nautical. (of a ship) drawing excessively at the bow or stern.
COLLAPSE

Origin:
before 900; (adv.) Middle English; Old English ūt; cognate with Dutch uit, German aus, Old Norse, Gothic ūt; akin to Sanskrit ud-; (adj., interjection, and preposition) Middle English, from the adv.; (v.) Middle English outen, Old English ūtian to put out, cognate with Old Frisian ūtia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To all out
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

all
O.E. eall "all, every, entire," from P.Gmc. *alnaz (cf. O.Fris., O.H.G. al, O.N. allr, Goth. alls), with no certain connection outside Gmc. All-fired (1837) is U.S. slang euphemism for hell-fired. First record of all out "to one's full powers" is 1880. All-star (adj.) is from 1889; all-American is from
EXPAND
1888, with ref. to baseball teams composed of the best players from the U.S. All-terrain vehicle first recorded 1970. All clear as a signal of "no danger" is recorded from 1902. All right, indicative of approval, is attested from 1953.

out
O.E. ut, common Gmc. (cf. O.N., O.Fris., Goth. ut, Du. uit, Ger. aus), from PIE base *ud- "up, up away" (cf. Skt. ut "up, out," uttarah "higher, upper, later, northern;" Avestan uz- "up, out," O.Ir. ud- "out," L. usque "all the way to, without interruption," Gk. hysteros "the latter," Rus. vy- "out").
Meaning "unconscious" is attested from 1898, originally in boxing. Sense of "not popular or modern" is from 1966. The verb was O.E. utian "expel," used in many senses over the years. Meaning "to expose as a closet homosexual" is first recorded 1990; as an adj. meaning "openly avowing one's homosexuality" it dates from 1970s (see closet; senses of "into public view" have been present in out since 16c.). Noun sense in baseball (1860) was originally from cricket, where it is attested from 1746. Adverbial phrase out-and-out "thoroughly" is attested from early 14c.; adj. usage is attested from 1813; out-of-the-way (adj.) "remote, secluded" is attested from late 15c. Out-of-towner "one not from a certain place" is from 1911. Shakespeare's It out-herods Herod ("Hamlet") reflects Herod as stock braggart and bully in old religious drama and was widely imitated 19c. Out to lunch "insane" is student slang from 1955; out of this world "excellent" is from 1938; out of sight "excellent, superior" is from 1891.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary

out definition


  1. mod.
    alcohol or drug intoxicated. (Probably from far out.) : Those guys are really out!
  2. mod.
    out of fashion. (The opposite of in.) : That kind of clothing is strictly out.
  3. tv.
    to make someone's homosexuality public. (Can be reflexive.) : He outed himself at the party last Friday.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

all out

With all one's strength, ability, or resources; not holding back. For example, They are going all out to make the fund-raiser a success. This seemingly modern term dates from about 1300, when it meant "completely" or "wholly." It now refers to making a great effort and is also used adjectivally, as in an all-out effort. This usage became current in America in the late 1800s, with reference to races and other kinds of athletic exertion. In the mid-1900s it gave rise to the phrase to go all out and was transferred to just about any energetic undertaking. Also see go whole hog.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
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