in earnest (redirected from earnest)

*in earnest

with sincerity. (*Typically: act ~; be ~; speak ~.) I've done all the research I need. I spent the day writing the paper in earnest. Mary's comments were in earnest. She really meant them.

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in earnest

with full effort and attention Peace talks began in earnest after four days of bloody fighting in September.

Usage notes: usually used to emphasize a change from a period of less effort or attention: The presidential campaign began in earnest on Labor Day.