go for broke

USAGE SUMMARY

'go for broke' is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, it is used to mean to take a risk, to push all of one's efforts into a situation, or to try one's hardest. For example, "I decided to go for broke and applied to ten different jobs".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Why not go for broke?

The New York Times

He doesn't like to go for broke.

The New York Times - Sports

Then desperation spurs one club to go for broke.

The New York Times - Sports

Some nationalists will want to go for broke on independence.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the field, they change plans, improvise, go for broke.

The New Yorker

"When you are 27 you can go for broke.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

It spoke to the team's carefree, go-for-broke style.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Boulud's go-for-broke menu inspires greed.

The New York Times - Food

From the start, with those go-for-broke cries of "Hojotoho," she sang every note honestly.

The New York Times - Arts

"The very strong parallel is the go-for-broke mood," Gitlin said.

The New York Times

While some have found his always-on, go-for-broke approach wearying, he couldn't care less.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go for broke" when you want to emphasize a bold, all-or-nothing approach in a situation where the potential rewards justify the high risk.

Common error

Avoid using "go for broke" in situations where a more cautious or measured approach is clearly warranted. It's not suitable for scenarios that require careful planning and risk mitigation.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "go for broke" functions as a verb phrase indicating a decision to commit all resources or effort to a single attempt, often involving significant risk. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Reference

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go for broke" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where someone commits all available resources or efforts to a single, often risky, attempt. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage, especially in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards informal due to its nature. When writing, remember that it applies when a bold, all-or-nothing approach is required to justify a possible big win. There are many alternative ways to communicate similar intent, such as "risk it all" or "pull out all the stops".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

risk it all

Emphasizes the element of chance and potential loss involved.

pull out all the stops

Focuses on utilizing every available resource or effort.

give it everything you've got

Stresses the exertion of maximum effort and energy.

bet the farm

Highlights the high stakes and significant potential consequences.

go all in

Implies complete commitment and investment in a venture.

take a gamble

Focuses on the uncertainty and potential reward of the action.

lay it on the line

Emphasizes the vulnerability and exposure of one's resources.

shoot for the moon

Highlights aiming for an ambitious and potentially unattainable goal.

leave it all on the field

Focuses on giving your best effort until the very end, with nothing held back.

sink or swim

Suggests a do-or-die situation with no middle ground.

FAQs

How can I use "go for broke" in a sentence?

You can use "go for broke" to describe a situation where someone is taking a significant risk in hopes of a big payoff. For example, "With nothing to lose, they decided to "go for broke" and invest everything in the new venture".

What does "go for broke" mean?

"Go for broke" means to risk everything in an attempt to achieve a goal. It implies a willingness to gamble all resources or efforts on a single outcome.

Are there situations where it's not appropriate to "go for broke"?

Yes, it's not appropriate to "go for broke" when the potential losses are too high or when a more conservative approach would yield a more certain, if smaller, gain. It's best reserved for situations where the potential reward outweighs the considerable risk.

What's a less idiomatic alternative to "go for broke"?

A less idiomatic alternative would be to say "take a big risk" or "commit completely". These phrases convey a similar meaning without relying on the specific idiom.