give their all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give their all" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to put forth one's maximum effort or give everything one has in a situation. Example: The athletes on the team were determined to give their all in the championship game, despite the difficult opponent they were facing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"People are going to give their all.

The New Yorker

"We expect Croatia to give their all and push on.

Independent

Hopefully our players will come out and give their all".

The Guardian - Sport

give their all in performances of over-the-top commitment which are part of the problem.

The New Yorker

The players give their all, they produce some beautiful sounds, and the applause is generous.

The Economist

The players who give their all for him deserve that back-up.

The Guardian - Sport

All I care about is having blokes alongside who will give their all.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'd happily boot out anyone who doesn't give their all," Alberto Marcos ranted.

The Guardian - Sport

And the players have no choice but to give their all.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"The players are crestfallen - they have given their all emotionally and physically.

The Guardian - Sport

The singers gave their all.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give their all" to encourage a team or individual to put forth maximum effort. It's particularly effective in motivational speeches or pep talks.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "their" agrees in number with the subject. If referring to a singular entity, use "give his/her all" instead of "give their all".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give their all" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used to express the action of exerting maximum effort or dedicating oneself completely to a task. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give their all" is a commonly used expression meaning to put forth maximum effort. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase serves a motivational and expressive purpose. When using "give their all", remember to ensure pronoun agreement. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "exert maximum effort" or "do one's utmost" depending on your specific intent and audience. Given its frequent appearance in various contexts, mastering its proper usage is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try one's hardest

Indicates a sincere and determined effort.

put in maximum effort

Focuses on the effort applied, emphasizing dedication.

do one's utmost

A more formal way of saying to do the best one can.

exert maximum effort

Replaces idiomatic expression with a more formal and literal phrase.

dedicate oneself fully

Emphasizes complete devotion and commitment.

go the extra mile

Conveys exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort.

pour one's heart and soul

Highlights emotional investment and passionate dedication.

leave no stone unturned

Suggests a thorough and exhaustive effort in achieving a goal.

spare no effort

Similar to leaving no stone unturned, emphasizing thoroughness.

do all that is humanly possible

Highlights the extent of effort, suggesting it's the maximum achievable.

FAQs

How can I use "give their all" in a sentence?

You can use "give their all" to describe someone putting forth their maximum effort. For example, "The team promised to "give their all" during the final game."

What's a more formal alternative to "give their all"?

Alternatives to "give their all" include "exert maximum effort" or "do one's utmost", which are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "gave their all"?

Yes, "gave their all" is the past tense form of the phrase, indicating that someone put forth maximum effort in the past. For example, "The athletes "gave their all" during the competition."

What does it mean to say someone is "giving their all"?

Saying someone is "giving their all" means they are currently putting in maximum effort and dedication towards a specific task or goal.