effort

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100 percent effort

One's maximum amount of attention, energy, and determination toward some attempt; one's absolute best effort. Sometimes written as "one hundred percent effort" or "100% effort." OK, team, if we're going to win this game, each and everyone of us will have to give 100 percent effort! I always give 100% effort 100% of the time! If he says he gave this report 100% effort, he's lying—just look at all these typos and spelling mistakes!

A for effort

A verbal acknowledgement of appreciation for attempting a task, even if it did not produce a successful result. Well, I'll give you an A for effort for trying to help, but you forgot to sand the wood before you painted it, so unfortunately we'll have to do the whole thing over again. The company's new product has a lot of really ambitious and exciting new features, but in reality none of them works entirely as promised. A for effort, I suppose. I don't care that your burned the roast, honey. You still get an A for effort in my book!

an all-out effort

An attempt made with one's full attention or fortitude; one's best effort. To beat the best team in the league, we need to make an all-out effort tonight, boys. As soon as I got an academic warning, I started an all-out effort to improve my grades. Kids, we need to make an all-out effort to get this house cleaned before Grandma gets here tomorrow!

bend (one's) efforts

To put forth a great deal of effort toward some goal or end. I've been bending my efforts to find a way out of these legal problems, but, as of now, I'm still going to prison. Don't bend your efforts to please these people—they'll never appreciate it. I've been bending my efforts trying to get a passing grade this semester, so failing by two measly points is incredibly frustrating.

bend (one's) mind

To consider, reflect upon, or think hard about something. If you would just bend your mind, I'm sure you could find a solution to the company's excess costs. I have bent my mind about things, and, unfortunately, selling the house is really the only option. Oh, bend your mind a little—you'll come up with something!

get an A for effort

To receive an acknowledgement of appreciation for attempting a task, even if it did not produce a successful result. You forgot to sand the wood before you painted it, but you at least get an A for effort for trying to help. The company's new product has a lot of really ambitious and exciting new features, but in reality none of them works entirely as promised. They get an A for effort, I suppose. I don't care that your burned the roast, honey. You still get an A for effort in my book!

give (one) an A for effort

To give one an acknowledgement of appreciation for attempting a task, even if it did not produce a successful result. Well, I'll give you an A for effort for trying to help, but you forgot to sand the wood before you painted it, so unfortunately we'll have to do the whole thing over again. The company's new product has a lot of really ambitious and exciting new features, but in reality none of them works entirely as promised. I guess I would give them A for effort, at least. Honey, I really don't care that you burned the roast. I would never even attempt to make something like that, so I give you an A for effort!

Herculean effort

A job, task, or activity that requires a huge amount of effort, energy, or physical strength. Sometimes used ironically or hyperbolically. But getting enough votes to pass the controversial legislation may prove to be a Herculean effort. Sometimes it feels like finding a good burger that isn't the price of a sirloin steak is a Herculean effort. It will be a Herculean effort for them to dethrone the former champions in this year's Super Bowl, but they certainly have a shot.

See also: effort

joint effort

An action or endeavor that is accomplished or undertaken by two or more people or groups working together. The global health response was a joint effort by five of the world's most powerful countries. The only way we're going to make this project work is if it's a joint effort.

last-ditch attempt

A final effort or attempt to solve a problem or avoid failure or defeat, especially after a series of failures or setbacks. The home team is mounting one last-ditch attempt in the final seconds of the game to try to force an overtime showdown. In a last-ditch attempt to avoid a government shutdown, congress has pushed forward a new spending bill.

last-ditch defense

A final, desperate effort to save or protect something or to avoid failure or defeat. The soldiers are preparing for a last-ditch defense against the enemy troops. The senator made an impassioned plea on national television last night as a last-ditch defense of the controversial legislation. The experimental high-energy laser weapon could serve as last-ditch defenses against missiles and enemy aircraft.

last-ditch effort

A final effort or attempt to solve a problem or avoid failure or defeat, especially after a series of failures or setbacks. The home team is mounting one last-ditch effort in the final seconds of the game to try to force an overtime showdown. In a last-ditch effort to avoid a government shutdown, congress has pushed forward a new spending bill meant to plug the debt ceiling for another year.

See also: effort

last-gasp effort

A final, usually drastic or risky attempt, with failure as the only alternative. The home team is mounting one last-gasp effort in the final seconds of the game to try to force an overtime showdown. In a last-gasp effort to avoid a government shutdown, Congress has pushed forward a new spending bill.

See also: effort

make a halfhearted effort

To do or try to do something in a disinterested and unenthusiastic manner. You can tell the actor is making a halfhearted effort—I'm sure he got a good paycheck for the voiceover, but you'd think he would try a little bit harder. You're definitely not going to get an A on this project if you only make a halfhearted effort to put together your visual aid. Come on, this poster board isn't eye-catching at all.

make a last-ditch effort

To make a final effort or attempt to solve a problem or avoid failure or defeat, especially after a series of failures or setbacks. The home team is making a last-ditch effort in the final seconds of the game with a long pass from midfield. Congress has made a last-ditch effort to avoid a government shutdown with their newest spending bill.

make an all-out effort

To make an attempt with one's full attention or fortitude; to make one's best effort. To beat the best team in the league, we need to make an all-out effort tonight, boys. As soon as I got an academic warning, I decided to make an all-out effort to improve my grades.

make an effort (to do something)

To put forth a moderate effort (to do, achieve, or accomplish something). I'll make an effort, but I can't guarantee that I'll be home before the party starts. I'm trying to make an effort to keep in touch with my family more often. I'm not expecting anything extravagant from her for our anniversary, but it would be nice if she made an effort.

make every effort (to do something)

To put forth the greatest possible effort (to do, achieve, or accomplish something). I'll make every effort, but I can't guarantee that I'll be home before the party starts. We've made every effort to ensure the transition process is as seamless as possible for you and your team.

spare no effort to (do something)

To put the maximum amount of effort into something; to work as hard as possible to do something. Police have spared no effort in securing the area ahead of the event. We will spare no effort in bringing those responsible to justice.

* A for effort

Fig. acknowledgement for having tried to do something, even if it was not successful. (*Typically: get ~; give someone ~.) The plan didn't work, but I'll give you an A for effort for trying.

*an all-out effort

a very good and thorough effort. (*Typically: begin ~; have ~; make ~; start ~.) We need to make an all-out effort to get this job done on time. The government began an all-out effort to reduce the federal budget.

*last-ditch effort

Fig. a final effort; the last possible attempt. (*Typically: be ~; have ~; make ~.) I made one last-ditch effort to get her to stay. It was a last-ditch effort. I didn't expect it to work.

See also: effort

make every effort to do something

to try very hard to accomplish something. I will make every effort to be there on time.

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.

last-ditch effort

A desperate final attempt, as in We're making a last-ditch effort to finish on time. This expression alludes to the military sense of last ditch, "the last line of defense." Its figurative use dates from the early 1800s.

See also: effort

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

all out

using all your strength or resources.

bend your ˈmind/ˈefforts to something

(formal) think very hard about or put a lot of effort into one particular thing

See also: bend, effort, mind, something, to

a ˌlast-ditch ˈstand/atˈtempt/ˈeffort

a final attempt to avoid defeat: They are making a last-ditch stand to save the company. ♢ This is a last-ditch attempt to stop the strike. Ditch in this idiom refers to a long channel built to defend an area against attack.

all out

With all one's strength, ability, or resources.

last-ditch defense/effort

A desperate final measure. In military terminology of the seventeenth century the “last ditch” was the ultimate line of defense. By the eighteenth century the term was being used figuratively, as in Thomas Jefferson’s description, “A government driven to the last ditch by the universal call for liberty.”