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- to the hilt
to the hilt
to the hilt
as much as possible We're already being taxed to the hilt.
Etymology: based on the idea of pushing a sword into something to the hilt (as far as its handle)
(up) to the hilt
1. if you do something to the hilt, you do it in the strongest and most complete way that you can All through the trial, he has backed his wife up to the hilt. They took the new aircraft and tested it to the hilt.
2. if you borrow to the hilt, you borrow as much money as you can, often so much that it is difficult to pay it back We can't raise any more money - we're mortgaged up to the hilt as it is. With the government borrowing up to the hilt we can expect tax rises.
to the hilt
Also, up to the hilt. Completely, to the maximum degree, as in The house was mortgaged up to the hilt. This idiom alludes to the handle ( hilt) of a sword, the only portion that remains out when the weapon is plunged all the way in. The figurative use of the term was first recorded in 1687.
to the hilt
To the limit; completely: played the role to the hilt.