Go for broke

Meaning

The idiom "go for broke" means to take a risk to the point of total loss or failure, or to do something that is extremely dangerous or risky. It can also mean to try to win at all costs, even if it means losing everything.

Usage

• The entrepreneur decided to go for broke and invest all his savings in the new start-up.
• She went for broke when she tried to win the lottery by buying every ticket available.
• The stock market crash of 1929 was a result of investors going for broke on high-risk investments.
• The athlete risked everything by attempting a dangerous stunt during his performance.
• The company's new product launch was a failure, and they went for broke by discontinuing it altogether.

Roots and History

The idiom "go for broke" originated in the late 19th or early 20th century in poker, where players would go "all-in" and risk everything on one hand to win the pot. The phrase gained popularity as a metaphor for taking risks to the point of total loss. Over time, the idiom has taken on broader meanings and is now used to describe any situation where someone is willing to take extreme risks, even if it means losing everything.

Synonyms in English

• Take a risk to the point of total loss or failure
• Try to win at all costs, even if it means losing everything
• Be audacious or bold in taking risks
• Be daring or brave in doing something
• Be adventurous or courageous in trying new things

Synonyms in other languages

• English: 높이로 나가는 (to take a risky path)
• French: Se prendre des risques énormes (to take huge risks)
• Spanish: Ir al límite (to reach the limit)
• Italian: Rischiar si trova in una situazione difficile e pericolosa (to find oneself in a difficult and dangerous situation)
• Japanese: 最大化した危陣 (to take the highest risk)

Similar Idioms

• go down in flames

• gut feeling

• get cracking