📖 Meaning
To do everything in one's power and spare no effort in pursuing a goal. It conveys the idea of giving one's absolute best, holding nothing back. The idiom emphasizes total commitment and the willingness to use every last ounce of energy or resources.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom traces its roots to classical Chinese texts. A notable early usage appears in the works of the Han dynasty, where the phrase was employed to describe officials and soldiers who gave their all in service. The concept of '竭' meaning 'to exhaust or drain' is ancient, appearing in texts such as the Zuozhuan and the Han Shu. Over centuries, the four-character combination became a standard expression for wholehearted dedication to any task or duty.
💡 Example Usage
为了攻克这道技术难题，整个团队竭尽全力，连续加班了一个月。
To overcome this technical challenge, the entire team did their utmost, working overtime for a whole month.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 竭尽全力
- Pinyin: jié jìn quán lì
- Literal Translation: exhaust, exhaust, all, strength
- Category: Determination
- Characters: 4