going ham
Giving maximum effort
Going ham means going all out—attacking something with maximum intensity, aggression, or enthusiasm.
The phrase likely derives from the acronym HAM (hard as a motherfucker), though some connect it to ham-fisted excess.
Someone goes ham in a fight, on a basketball court, at a buffet, or while gaming: He went ham on that last level.
The phrase implies abandoning restraint.
- overdoExceed reasonable limits
- beast modeSlang for peak performance
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
- slangInformal in-group vocabulary
ferocity · zeal · actioning · urban culture · hip-hop · vernacular · all-out · no chill · full send · boldness · assertiveness · balls to the wall · pedal to the metal · audacity · grind · try hard · rap music · idiom
going hamphoning it in
Performing without genuine commitment
holding back · coasting · slacking · going through the motions · mailing it in
going hamholding back
Preventing forward movement
playing it safe · keeping cool · playing it cool · biding one's time · keeping a low profile
going hamchilling
Causing fear or cold
relaxing · kicking back · taking a back seat · sitting back · staying quiet