pulled out all the stops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pulled out all the stops" is correct and can be used in written English.
The phrase is usually used to describe a person who is trying their hardest and giving maximum effort to achieve a particular goal or task. For example, "John pulled out all the stops to get the promotion and finally achieved his goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We pulled out all the stops.

The New York Times - Health

The Mirror pulled out all the stops.

The Guardian

The last few episodes pulled out all the stops.

The New York Times - Arts

"We pulled out all the stops today," Hamdan said.

The New York Times - Sports

The Twins pulled out all the stops tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

He pulled out all the stops in his coda here.

The New York Times - Arts

When he got sick, people pulled out all the stops.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We pulled out all the stops on this," Settle recalled.

The New York Times - Sports

Krasnow's team pulled out all the stops to find the appropriate materials for the research.

Stanford University

The United States Treasury pulled out all the stops to kill the proposal, and it died.

The Economist

The Serbian government pulled out all the stops to encourage people to vote.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pulled out all the stops" when you want to convey that someone has used every available resource or made an exceptional effort to achieve something.

Common error

Avoid using "pulled out all the stops" in situations where only a moderate or routine effort was made. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios involving significant or extraordinary measures.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "pulled out all the stops" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a comprehensive and maximal effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Sports

7%

Arts

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pulled out all the stops" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to describe a situation where maximum effort and resources are employed to achieve a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase effectively conveys the intensity of the effort made. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "went the extra mile" or "left no stone unturned" to express a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went the extra mile

Indicates exceeding expectations or putting in more effort than required, shifting the focus to exceeding a standard.

gave it their all

Emphasizes the complete dedication of effort, replacing the strategic implication with a general exertion of energy.

left no stone unturned

Highlights thoroughness and a comprehensive approach, changing the metaphor from strategic action to exhaustive searching.

pulled out all the tricks

Focuses on using clever or cunning methods, shifting the emphasis from overall effort to specific tactics.

spared no effort

Directly states that no effort was held back, providing a more literal and less idiomatic alternative.

went to great lengths

Highlights the extent of the effort made, changing the focus to the magnitude of actions taken.

did everything possible

Emphasizes that all avenues were explored, providing a simpler and more direct alternative.

maximized their resources

Focuses on the efficient use of available resources, changing the emphasis to strategic deployment.

made a supreme effort

Highlights the intensity and quality of the effort, offering a more formal and emphatic alternative.

gave their best shot

Implies a single, focused attempt with maximum effort, changing the perspective to a one-time endeavor.

FAQs

How can I use "pulled out all the stops" in a sentence?

You can use "pulled out all the stops" to describe a situation where someone has made an extraordinary effort. For example, "The team "pulled out all the stops" to win the championship."

What does "pulled out all the stops" mean?

"Pulled out all the stops" means to do everything possible to achieve a goal. It implies using all available resources and making a maximum effort.

What are some alternatives to "pulled out all the stops"?

Alternatives to "pulled out all the stops" include "went the extra mile", "gave it their all", or "left no stone unturned" depending on the specific context.

Is "pulled out all the stops" formal or informal?

"Pulled out all the stops" is generally considered to be an informal, idiomatic expression. While widely understood, it's often more suitable for casual or journalistic writing rather than highly formal or academic contexts.