English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
To the core
Meaning
The idiom "to the core" means to do something sincerely, deeply, or completely. It suggests that a person is being honest and genuine in their actions or words, and that they are not just putting on a show or pretending to be someone else.
Usage
- The new employee was very eager to learn the job to the core, making sure she understood every detail.
- When he heard the bad news, John's reaction was genuine to the core, and he showed no attempt to hide his emotions.
- She was determined to improve her cooking skills to the core, taking lessons from a professional chef.
- The CEO was committed to improving the company's performance to the core, and she made some tough decisions to achieve that goal.
- His kindness towards others was truly heartfelt to the core, as he always went out of his way to help those in need. The usage of "to the core" can vary depending on the context. For example, it can be used in a positive or negative sense, such as when someone is being sincere or when someone is trying to hide their true intentions.
Roots and History
The idiom "to the core" has been in use since at least the mid-19th century. It comes from the phrase "to the heart," which means to go directly to the center of something or to get to the bottom of a matter. Over time, the phrase evolved to mean doing something thoroughly and completely.
Synonyms in English
- To the end
- All the way
- Completely
- Absolutely
- Right down to the last detail
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish - hasta el fin (to the end)
- French - jusqu'à l'extrème (all the way)
- Italian - fino all'ultimo (completely)
- German - bis zum Abschluss (absolutely)
- Chinese - 直到最后一刻 (right down to the last detail)