Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
3,900,546,568 visitors served.
forum Join the Word of the Day Mailing List For webmasters
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

to the hilt

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
(up) to the hilt 
1. if you do something to the hilt, you do it in the strongest and most complete way that you can All through the trial, he has backed his wife up to the hilt. They took the new aircraft and tested it to the hilt.
2. if you borrow to the hilt, you borrow as much money as you can, often so much that it is difficult to pay it back We can't raise any more money - we're mortgaged up to the hilt as it is. With the government borrowing up to the hilt we can expect tax rises.

to the hilt
as much as possible We're already being taxed to the hilt.
Etymology: based on the idea of pushing a sword into something to the hilt (as far as its handle)


Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Feedback
References in classic literature?   Idioms browser?   Full browser?
He kept rushing the matador, who always slipped smartly and gracefully aside in time, waiting for a sure chance; and at last it came; the bull made a deadly plunge for him - was avoided neatly, and as he sped by, the long sword glided silently into him, between left shoulder and spine - in and in, to the hilt.
If you'll stop to lunch I'll prove you this time travelling up to the hilt, specimen and all.
But the boy had learned in that brief second a use for his sharp and shining toy, so that, as the tearing, striking beast dragged him to earth he plunged the blade repeatedly and to the hilt into its breast.
 
 
 
Idioms and phrases
?

Terms of Use | Privacy policy | Feedback | Advertise with Us | Copyright © 2012 Farlex, Inc.
Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.