IdiomDaily Life

English

all or nothing

Meaning: With no middle way; everything is risked on one outcome.

Example: “For a small team, the cup final is all or nothing.”

Origin: A plain statement of the two extremes, common in English from the 19th century and familiar from gambling and sport.

Equivalents in other languages

Russian: пан или пропал (pan ili propal) Literally: Lord or lost

More English idioms

until one is blue in the face For as long as one likes, with no result.
on the back of an envelope Roughly worked out, without proper tools or care.
a scapegoat Someone blamed for others' faults.
truth be told To be honest about it.
for the life of me However hard I try.
kick the can down the road To put off dealing with a problem, leaving it for later.

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