all one's might - Glite Dictionary

Examples

I clutched it and clung to it with all my might.

Anna Karenina (1997)
He'll take the challenge on with all his might

Best of the Best (1989)
When I give you the signal, pull with all your might!

Poltergeist (2015)
Then I closed my eyes and with all my might tried for one last time.

Camelot (1967)
Push, Spike, push with all your might!

The Land Before Time (1988)
You see me dancing 'round up there each night, And belting out my songs with all my might.

I'm Going to Tell You a Secret (2005)
Just as I begin to get lost in my inner dialogs... ...the woman begins to push with all her might.

Subconscious Cruelty (2001)
David danced before the Lord with all his might, leaping and dancing before the Lord."

Footloose (2011)
The athlete trained daily, pushing through the exhaustion with all one's might.
She studied for the exam with all one's might, determined to achieve a passing grade.

Synonyms

mightily

vsall one's might

24 4.0

To do something with great force or effort

stresses doing something with the absolute maximum possible strength

in full force

vsall one's might

16 3.6

It happens with great strength and many people taking part

describes personal total effort rather than collective presence or effect

for all it was worth

vsall one's might

Informal

3 6.5

As much as possible

focuses specifically on using peak effort and strength rather than general extent

for all they were worth

vsall one's might

1 7.2

Using all your strength or effort to do something

emphasizes absolute personal effort and strength rather than general resources

as best one can

vsall one's might

4.1

To do something as well as you can given the situation

means using the greatest possible strength rather than just competent ability

Antonyms

casually

103 2.5

In a relaxed, not very careful way

half-heartedly

4 4.3

In a way that shows little interest or energy

How Hard

all one's might

3.9

strenuously

12 5.5

effortfully

5.4

easily

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

all one's might singular

all one's mights plural

Morphology

all + one + might

The meaning 'using the greatest possible effort' is directly and compositionally derived from 'all' (the whole), 'one's' (possessive of the person), and 'might' (strength/power). This literal possessive + noun pattern (all one's strength) is cross-linguistically common and follows normal English composition, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily understand it.

Etymology

All one's might shows the image of someone using all their might—every muscle and bit of strength, pushing, pulling, or shouting with everything they have. That's why it means 'to try as hard as you can'.