play for keeps
1. To play a game in which the wagers are kept by the winner at the end. We're playing for keeps here, so don't bet anything you can't live without.
2. To do something with a great amount of seriousness because the outcome will be permanent or have a major impact. Stock brokers at this level deal with multi-million-dollar transactions, so they are always playing for keeps. The playoffs are when everyone really starts playing for keeps.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
play for keeps
to do things with permanent effect; to be serious in one's actions. (From the game of marbles, where the winner actually keeps all the marbles won.) Are we playing for keeps or can we give everything back at the end of the game? We are playing for keeps, so be careful of what you do.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
play for keeps
engage in an activity with ruthless determination and single-mindedness. 2003 Inc. Magazine The infamously tough buyers at Wal-Mart, he says, play for keeps. If you're a small vendor, and you fail them once, they'll never forget. You're on their shitlist for life.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
play for keeps
in. to take serious and permanent actions. (Refers to playing a game where the money won is not returned at the end of the game.) I always play for keeps.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.