do their utmost

USAGE SUMMARY

"do their utmost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's efforts towards achieving a goal, or when suggesting that someone works as hard as possible to complete a task. For example, "The students vowed to do their utmost to secure the win for their school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"All the time, players are forced to do their utmost.

The New Yorker

"Mind you, banks do their utmost to be compliant.

The Guardian - Opinion

Employers say they do their utmost to comply.

The New York Times

You can be sure that the Democrats will do their utmost to keep it that way.

The Economist

Customers want certain things, and companies do their utmost to provide them.

The New York Times - Magazine

But Pow! Blam!! Whop!!! Batman and Robin will do their utmost to fight off the interlopers.

The Economist

Most countries do their utmost to avoid going to the IMF.

The Economist

But Coleman has vowed his side will do their utmost to spoil the party.

Independent

They will do their utmost to make their product the most appealing.

Independent

United Nations peacekeepers will continue to do their utmost to protect as many people as possible.

The New York Times

And, where possible, did the troops do their utmost to spare civilians?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do their utmost" when you want to emphasize a strong commitment and effort toward achieving a specific goal. It conveys a sense of dedication and determination.

Common error

While "do their utmost" is a strong phrase, avoid overusing it. Vary your language by using synonyms like "make every effort" or "try their hardest" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do their utmost" functions as a verb phrase indicating a collective effort to achieve something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and conveys a sense of commitment and determination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do their utmost" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression signifying a strong commitment to making a significant effort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and versatility. It is commonly found in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific publications. While various alternatives exist, such as "try their hardest" or "make every effort", "do their utmost" conveys a particularly strong sense of dedication and determination. Remember to vary your language to avoid overuse. This phrase serves to assure and convey a strong commitment towards achieving a goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try their hardest

Emphasizes the effort and determination in attempting something.

make every effort

Focuses on the exertion of energy and resources.

do everything possible

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the actions taken.

give it their all

Stresses the complete dedication and commitment.

exert maximum effort

Underscores the intensity of the effort being applied.

go the extra mile

Implies exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort.

spare no effort

Indicates a willingness to invest significant effort without holding back.

strain every nerve

Suggests pushing oneself to the limit to achieve a goal.

leave no stone unturned

Conveys thoroughness and diligence in searching or pursuing something.

try all they can

Focuses on the availability of options exhausted.

FAQs

How can I use "do their utmost" in a sentence?

You can use "do their utmost" to describe a group's dedicated effort. For instance, "The team will "try their hardest" to win the championship."

What are some alternatives to "do their utmost"?

Some alternatives include "make every effort", "try all they can", or "give it their all", depending on the context.

Is "do their utmost" formal or informal?

"Do their utmost" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a versatile phrase that conveys a strong sense of effort in various situations.

What's the difference between "do their utmost" and "do their best"?

While similar, "do their utmost" suggests a greater level of effort and commitment compared to "do their best". "Do their utmost" implies pushing oneself to the absolute limit.