- To make the maximum possible effort; to try your hardest.
Explanation
Origin
- Give it your all: Straightforwardly means to give every bit of energy, effort, or resource you possess ('your all') to the task. Common from the early 20th century.
- Put your back into it: Evokes the image of engaging the strong muscles of the back when performing heavy physical labor, like lifting, pushing, or digging. Using your back implies exerting maximum physical force and effort. Dates back to at least the early 19th century.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Go hard
- Bust a gut (Implies extreme effort)
- Go balls to the wall (Informal, somewhat vulgar, means maximum speed/effort)
- Grind hard
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Work your ass off
- Bust your ass/balls
- Give it fucking everything
Milder/Formal:
- Exert maximum effort
- Apply yourself fully
- Strive to the best of your ability
Situational Appropriateness
- Give it your all: Informal to semi-formal. Common in sports, motivation, personal challenges.
- Put your back into it: Informal. Originally for physical labor, but often used figuratively for any strenuous effort. Might sound a bit old-fashioned or folksy depending on context.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Put your back into it is often figurative. Learners might think it only applies to physical tasks involving the back. Clarify it means 'maximum effort' in general.
Examples
- (Give it your all): This is your last chance to win, give it your all!
- (Give it your all): She gave it her all during the presentation.
- (Put your back into it): Come on, team, put your back into it! We need to move this furniture.
- (Put your back into it): He really put his back into it to finish the project on time. (Can be used figuratively for non-physical effort too).
Dialogue
Coach: Okay team, final quarter! We're down by three points.
Player: It's going to be tough.
Coach: I know, but this is where champions are made. Give it your all out there! Leave nothing on the court!
Team: (Motivated shouts) Let's go!
Social Media Examples
- Instagram Caption (Workout): Final set! Gotta give it your all! 💪 #fitness #gymlife #motivation
- Tweet: Starting a new business is tough. You really have to put your back into it every single day. #entrepreneur #startup
- Facebook Post: So proud of my daughter for giving it her all in the school play! She was amazing! ❤️
Response Patterns
If encouraged to give it your all / put your back into it:
- Agreement/Determination: I will!, Okay, let's do it!, Will do!
- Acknowledgement: Alright., Got it.
If commenting on someone else's effort:
- Agreement: Yeah, they really did., Totally.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After being encouraged:
- Exerting noticeable effort.
- Asking for support if needed: Okay, can you help me lift this side?
After encouraging someone:
- Offering support or assistance.
- Praising the effort afterward: Great job!, See, you did it!
Conversation Starter
- No. Typically used as encouragement or a comment on effort within a specific context (task, competition, etc.).
Intonation
- Usually said with encouragement or determination.
- Give it your ALL: Stress on ALL.
- Put your BACK into it: Stress on BACK.
Generation Differences
- Give it your all is common across generations.
- Put your back into it might be used more often or literally by older generations but is generally understood by younger ones, often used figuratively or humorously.
Regional Variations
- Both are common in major English-speaking regions.