empty the tank

present singular third person empties the tank · participle present emptying the tank · participle past emptied the tank · past emptied the tank · alternative leave nothing in the tank

1. idiomaticTo make the utmost effort; to contribute to the absolute limit of one's energy and abilities.

   “It's important over the next five games to empty the tank and give all we've got.”

   2006 July 5, Tom Withers, “Cleveland scores nine in fifth inning”, in USA Today, retrieved 19 Jun 2011

   2 more examples

   “You’ve got to empty the tank,” he said. “You can see the finish line. You know what you have to do.”

   2008 September 1, Joe LaPointe, “Martínez Shows Strength in Mets Win Over Marlins”, in New York Times, retrieved 19 Jun 2011

   Stewart referenced Springsteen's work ethic and heart: “He empties the tank, every time. He empties that tank for his family, he empties that tank for his art, he empties that tank for his audience and he empties that tank for his country.”

   2009 December 30, “Bruce Springsteen Honored at Kennedy Center”, in Rolling Stone, retrieved 19 Jun 2011

   Synonyms: give one's all, go all out, go for broke, pull out all the stops