shoot the works, to 🎯
Definition: To make an all-out effort; to commit everything one has. This idiom, which originated in early 20th-century America, conveys the notion of risking or investing everything you have in one grand attempt.
Example in Literature: “Within an hour he hoped to shoot the works,” wrote Lawrence Treat in his 1943 mystery, O as in Omen.
Similar Terms and Expressions:
- Shoot one’s bolt: To expend all one’s energy or resources on a single attempt.
- Go for broke: To risk everything in an effort to achieve a significant goal.
- Bet the farm (or house): To wager everything on one venture.
- Leave no stone unturned: To make a thorough effort.
- Put all your eggs in one basket: To risk everything on a single venture.
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Related Proverbs and Quotations:
- Proverb: “Fortune favors the brave.”
- Quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky.
- Cliché: “All or nothing.”
- Mud-time Maxim: “You’ve got to risk it to get the biscuit.”
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Literary and Cultural References:
- Literature: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway – Explore the protagonist’s all-out effort to land a gigantic marlin, displaying the essence of “shooting the works.”
- Songs: “Lose Yourself” by Eminem – A perfect anthem for going all-in, hustling, and making the most of an opportunity.
- Movies: Rocky – Watch Rocky Balboa go for broke in the boxing ring, epitomizing the essence of this idiom.
- Poetry: Invictus by William Ernest Henley – A powerful poetic portrayal of relentless determination and bravery in the face of adversity.
### Which phrase embodies the concept of 'shooting the works'?
- [x] Going for broke
- [ ] Taking a nap under the sun
- [ ] Eating a sandwich quietly
- [ ] Listening to the wind chimes
> **Explanation:** "Going for broke" shares the essence of "shooting the works," representing the idea of taking an all-or-nothing risk.
### What does 'betting the farm' mean?
- [ ] Tending bar at your local pub
- [x] Investing everything you have in one endeavor
- [ ] Buying a pet hamster
- [ ] Getting a handle on farming techniques
> **Explanation:** To "bet the farm" means to gamble everything you have on a single venture, similar to "shooting the works."
### True or False: 'Leave no stone unturned' means to make an all-out effort.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Absolutely true, "Leave no stone unturned" suggests making thorough, concerted efforts just like shooting the works.
“Take every shot with conviction, for no great venture was ever won by hesitation.” – Gale T. Enthuse
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Always remember, in the grand theater of life, sometimes you need to “shoot the works” to land the leading part.
