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All in vs All out

All in—(predic., coll.)

1. completely exhausted.

  • I was glad that the laboratory was only a few blocks away, for I was all in by the time I got there.

2. completely or enthusiastically involved in something.

  • That was a cruel thing to do and I want to know who was all in on it!

Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the compound all-in—(attrib.) inclusive of everything:

  • If you need surgery, go for a fixed price package—an all-in price, irrespective of how long you stay in the hospital.

All out—(coll.)

1. using all one’s strength or resources.

  • He made up his mind to go “all out” for his uncle’s slum-conversion scheme.

2. entirely; completely.

  • “Were you drunk?” “Not all out, I could keep my feet on the floor.”

3. at top speed.

  • The track was ultra-fast all night, with cars running all out the entire evening.