Skip to main content
as stubborn as all get-out

as stubborn as all get-out

9.6
Very unwilling to change their mind
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : tan terco como una mula
  • Don’t bother arguing with her; she’s as stubborn as all get-out once she’s made up her mind.

Examples

  • The old mule was as stubborn as all get-out and refused to budge.

  • My grandpa can be as stubborn as all get-out when it comes to his favorite routines.

  • My brother is as stubborn as all get-out!

  • She can be as stubborn as all get-out when she thinks she's right.

  • Don't bother arguing with her; she's as stubborn as all get-out once she's made up her mind.

  • My grandpa can be as stubborn as all get-out when it comes to his favorite routines.

  • She can be as stubborn as all get-out when she thinks she's right.

Synonyms

stubborn
vsas stubborn as all get-out
217 2.9

Not willing to change your mind even when others try to persuade you

is stronger, showing extreme unwillingness to change
adamant
vsas stubborn as all get-out
72 6.8

Not willing to change one's mind even when others disagree

is a more exaggerated refusal to alter opinion
persistent
vsas stubborn as all get-out
43 4.4

Continuing with an action despite problems or opposition

focuses more on extreme refusal to change opinion rather than persistence
uncompromising
vsas stubborn as all get-out
24 6.8

Not willing to change opinions or demands, even if it causes problems

is more extreme in its refusal to change for others
obstinate
vsas stubborn as all get-out
16 7.5

Refusing to change your opinion or behavior even when others try to persuade you

is more extreme in that refusal and intensity
unyielding
vsas stubborn as all get-out
10 6.5

Very firm in decisions and not willing to change or give up

is a stronger, more extreme form of not giving in
pigheaded
vsas stubborn as all get-out
  • Offensive
9 7.8

Refusing to change your mind or actions even when you are wrong

is similar but expresses an even stronger refusal to change
intransigent
vsas stubborn as all get-out
8 8.1

Not willing to change views or agree with others

is more intensely unwilling to change or agree
hardheaded
vsas stubborn as all get-out
6 6.7

Refusing to change your mind even when shown evidence

is more extreme in resisting change rather than merely being stubborn
obdurate
vsas stubborn as all get-out
3 8.8

A person who refuses to change their opinion or behaviour even when others try to persuade them

expresses a higher degree of refusal to change
stiff-necked
vsas stubborn as all get-out
1 8.1

Not willing to change your mind or actions

is more extreme, showing greater refusal to change opinion
self-willed
vsas stubborn as all get-out
1 7.3

A person who insists on doing what they want and often disobeys others

is more intensely resistant to changing opinion than mere self-direction
as stubborn as an anvil
vsas stubborn as all get-out
  • Informal
9.2

Refusing to change an opinion even when people give reasons

is even more extreme in refusing to change opinion or attitude
thran
vsas stubborn as all get-out
  • Archaic
9.9

Not willing to change your mind or what you do

is a stronger, more extreme form of that unwillingness
bloody-minded
vsas stubborn as all get-out
  • Offensive
9.1

Refuses to cooperate to cause trouble

is primarily extreme refusal to change rather than spiteful obstruction

Antonyms

80 3.7

Ready to listen to new ideas and accept different views

31 3.4

Able to bend easily without breaking and return to shape

How Stubborn

as stubborn as all get-out
  • Informal
9.6
inflexible
11 4.7
stubborn
217 2.9
reluctant
247 3.5
compliant
31 5.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

as + stubborn + as + all + get-out

The comparator frame 'as ... as' plus the adjective 'stubborn' makes it clear this is a degree expression about stubbornness, so a learner will detect it expresses a strength of the property. However, the tail 'all get-out' is a colloquial, idiomatic intensifier whose meaning ('very' / 'extremely') is not transparently derivable from 'all' + 'get-out', so the exact force is unpredictable without exposure.

Etymology

As stubborn as all get-out comes from old American slang. In that slang, all get-out meant 'very much' or 'a lot', so the picture is of someone who will not move or change at all. That's why it means 'extremely stubborn'.