all or nothing
all or nothing
1. Everything one desires or nothing at all. In this mindset, the only acceptable outcome is everything that a person desires (the perfect option); anything else is rejected. You need to ditch this all or nothing mentality. Every man you date is going to be flawed in some way! The college application process cannot be all or nothing—you really need to apply to a variety of schools.
2. The last chance to do something. Of course that team got into the playoffs at the last possible moment—they play really well when it's all or nothing.
See also: all, nothing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
all or nothing
1. Lit. everything or nothing at all. Sally would not accept only part of the money. She wanted all or nothing. I can't bargain over trifles. I will have to have all or nothing.
2. Fig. [the best] time to choose to do something or not to do it. It was all or nothing. Tim had to jump off the truck or risk drowning when the truck went into the water. Jane stood at the door of the airplane and checked her parachute. It was all or nothing now. She had to jump or be looked upon as a coward.
See also: all, nothing
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
all or ˈnothing
a situation which will end either in complete success or complete failureSee also: all, nothing
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- worldly
- worldly desires
- earthly
- earthly desires
- 22
- a Catch 22
- a catch-22 situation
- Catch-22
- eat one's cake and have it (too)
- eat one's cake and have it, too