give one's all

present singular third person gives one's all · participle present giving one's all · past gave one's all · participle past given one's all

1. To make the utmost effort; to contribute, using all of one's abilities and resources.

   Near-synonym: give it one's best shot

   4 more examples

   "I'd go myself, if I was any use. As I ain't, I give my boys, and give 'em free." He spoke so cheerfully, looked so sincere, and seemed so glad to give his all, that I was ashamed of myself.

   1868, Louisa May Alcott, chapter 4, in Little Women

   And it is well; her act being proportioned to the dignity of one who carries in her head and heart riches which outvalue any that any King could add, though he gave his all.

   1896, Mark Twain, chapter 35, in Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc

   After swearing to support God and the Constitution, to give his all in any "war" against Catholics, Jews, Negroes, aliens and Communists, he paid $7 for a robe, 10¢ monthly dues, bought himself a gun, became a member in good standing.

   1936 June 1, “Crime: Black Legion”, in Time

   [S]he was unique in not requiring rehearsals because she "gave her all the first time she tried a scene."

   1990 January 22, Peter B. Flint, “Barbara Stanwyck, Actress, Dead at 82”, in New York Times, retrieved 17 Jun 2011

   Synonyms: go all out, give 110%, pull out all the stops, do one's utmost, leave it all on the field, empty the tank, give it one's best shot

2. euphemisticidiomaticTo lose one's life while making the utmost effort with full commitment.

   Police officers expressed shock at the news of their fellow officer's death. "He gave his all; he literally gave his all," said Officer Edward Looney.

   2005 August 4, Kareem Fahim, “Sniper Kills New York Police Officer in Iraq”, in New York Times, retrieved 17 Jun 2011

   1 more example

   The Cemeterial Division . . . has taken up the huge task of establishing contact with the mothers or widows of the 30,000 American soldiers who gave their all and whose bodies rest in graves across the sea.

   1929 April 10, “Plans for War Mothers Pilgrimage Started”, in Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express, retrieved 18 Jun 2011, page 26

   Synonyms: assume room temperature, auger in, be called home, be gathered to one's fathers, be like the the One, be no more, be with Jesus, be with the Lord