do one's damnedest
Give maximum effort
To do one's damnedest is to try as hard as possible, to make one's maximum effort: I did my damnedest to finish on time, but it wasn't enough.
The phrase implies straining against difficulty or long odds.
Damnedest here is a superlative of damned used as an intensifier—your most damned effort, everything you've got.
- pushForce something away
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- grindCrush into particles
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
sweat · leave it all on the field · diligence · frustration · desperation · resilience · utmost · resolve · success · all-out · pull out all the stops · go the extra mile · tenacity · never say die · ambition · determination · struggle · endeavor
do one's damnedestphone it in
Perform with minimal effort
go through the motions · slack off · give up · coast · mail it in
do one's damnedestnot give a damn
abandon · neglect · blow off · shrug off · couldn't care less
does, done, doers, undone, ones, oneness, damn, damned, damning