do one's utmost
Give everything possible
To do one's utmost is to try as hard as possible, to exert maximum effort toward a goal: She did her utmost to finish before the deadline.
The phrase implies pushing to the very limit of one's capabilities.
Utmost rarely appears outside this construction in modern speech.
- accomplishComplete successfully
- striveMake sustained effort
- persevereContinue despite obstacles
- succeedAchieve a desired aim
- exertPut into active use
attain · endeavor · pull out all the stops · grit · dedication · resolve · toil · bend over backwards · go all out · leave it all on the field · overcome · fulfill · work hard · go the extra mile · commitment · spare no effort · realize · struggle
do one's utmostslack off
Reduce one's effort
phone it in · coast · loaf · go through the motions · take it easy
do one's utmostgive up
Stop attempting something
throw in the towel · quit · neglect · shirk · capitulate
do one's utmosthold back
Prevent forward movement
hedge one's bets · dabble · dip one's toe in · throw in the towel · quit