hilt

to the hilt

As much or to the greatest degree possible; completely or utterly. They've had to borrow to the hilt to get the company off the ground. We're ready to defend our client to the hilt in court.
See also: hilt
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

to the hilt

Also, up to the hilt. Completely, to the maximum degree, as in The house was mortgaged up to the hilt. This idiom alludes to the handle ( hilt) of a sword, the only portion that remains out when the weapon is plunged all the way in. The figurative use of the term was first recorded in 1687.
See also: hilt
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

to the hilt

or

up to the hilt

COMMON
1. If you do something to the hilt or up to the hilt, you do it to the greatest possible extent. He'll be a good candidate. We'll back him up to the hilt. If Fred raises this issue tomorrow, I'll defend my actions to the hilt.
2. If you borrow money to the hilt or up to the hilt, you borrow as much as possible. The company had borrowed to the hilt and still needed more capital. His father's estates were mortgaged up to the hilt. Note: The hilt of a sword or knife is its handle. The image here is of a knife or sword being pushed in all the way to the handle.
See also: hilt
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

(up) to the hilt

completely.
The image is that of plunging the blade of a knife deeply into something, so that only the hilt is visible.
See also: hilt
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

(up) to the ˈhilt

(support, etc. somebody) completely: I will support you to the hilt on this.
This expression refers to the full length of a sword, up to its handle (= the hilt).
See also: hilt
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

to the hilt

To the limit; completely: played the role to the hilt.
See also: hilt
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

up to the hilt

To the utmost. The hilt is the handle of a dagger or sword; when the weapon is plunged all the way into something, only the hilt stays out. The term, also put as to the hilt, was transferred to other kinds of extreme by the seventeenth century. “The estate was mortgaged up to the hilt,” wrote James Payn (Thicker than Water, 1883).
See also: hilt, up
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • to the hilt
  • up to the hilt
  • lay (something) to waste
  • lay to waste
  • made from whole cloth
  • made out of whole cloth
  • out of whole cloth
  • cut from whole cloth
  • cut out of whole cloth
  • chocolate
References in periodicals archive
Conclusion: HILT and TENS+US combined with exercise were effective treatment modalities in decreasing the VAS and ODI scores.
Comparison of high-intensity laser therapy and combination of transcutaneous nerve stimulation and ultrasound treatment in patients with chronic lumbar radiculopathy: A randomized single-blind study
Standard culture techniques were used in four of the six studies (Hilt et al., 2014; Lee et al., 2010; Siddiqui et al., 2014; Sorrentino et al., 2015).
An integrative review of current research on the role of the female urinary microbiota in overactive bladder symptoms
However, percentage change in VAS score on resting was higher in HILT group compared to LE bandage group.
Comparison of high intensity laser and epicondylitis bandage in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis
When Hilt was five years old, his parents presented him with a small tin fiddle for Christmas.
Hilt Kelly: Catskills Fiddler and Caller
Scott and Hilt also asked Timothy Loo, their instrumental contractor, to assemble a largely gay orchestra.
The curious case of Benjamin Britten: a century after his death, the music of gay composer Benjamin Britten is very much alive
"A school which specialises in teaching children sport should back parents to the hilt if they want to come and watch their children play football, rugby, hockey or whatever it may be," the paper quoted a parent, as saying.
UK school's bizarre 'child safety' rules bans parents from watching kids play!
* MEN OF THE MOMENT: Jordan Rhodes thanks the fans for their support in his incredible 40-goal season and, inset, chairman Dean Hoyle has back the club to the hilt for the last three years
Unbelievable!
Ensure the end of the hilt is pressed into your palm.
The world is your oyster
NEW Home Secretary Alan Johnson says he is "backing Gordon Brown to the hilt".
I feel sorry for Brown; Yourview
"Carnegie Hilt shoppers are highly refined, and I am very proud of the many boutiques and fine restaurants we have placed here that have met and exceeded their expectations."
Carnegie Hill exclusive
For goodness sake, let's back Dave to the hilt because he will not be out of work for long.
Let's back the manager to the hilt; VIEWPOINTS
Because surely the sky-high cost of such transport alone is bound to act as an irritant to a public getting taxed to the hilt.
ALTITUDE ATTITUDE; HELLIICOPTER 2
While Warwickshire Fire Service provided cover in Coventry for the Radford Road, Foleshill, Canley and Binley crews who were stretched to the hilt fighting the blaze, other appliances came from: Bickenhill, Solihull, Hay Mills, Ward End, Aston, Sheldon, Bournebrook, Ladywood, Smethwick, Perry Barr, Billesley, Highgate, Sutton Coldfield, Northfield and Oldbury.
Where the fire crews came from to fight the blaze... ++ SCHOOL INFERNO ++
Worked to death by unscrupulous employers, and taxed to the hilt by politicians whose only interest is to line their own pockets, what else do we have left?
Letter: Drink an escape
Caption: Interstate Electrical Services Corp.'s recent biannual trade show in Billerica, Mass., featured more than 30 exhibitors, including vendors and manufacturing representatives showcasing products from 3M, Milwaukee, Hilt, Milton Cat, Hubbell and Cooper/Hinds.
Interstate Electrical Services Corp.'s recent biannual trade show in Billerica, Mass., featured more than 30 exhibitors, including vendors and manufacturing representatives showcasing products from 3M, Milwaukee, Hilt, Milton Cat, Hubbell and Cooper/Hinds