shoot the works

shoot the works
shoot the works
1. to do everything; to use everything; to bet all one's money. •

Okay, let's go out to dinner and shoot the works.

Don't shoot the works! Save some for a cab.

2. Sl. to empty one's stomach; to vomit. •

Suddenly she turned sort of green, and I knew she was going to shoot the works.

After she shot the works, she looked fine—but I was sort of pale.

* * *
{v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To spare no expense or effort; get or give everything. * /Billy shot the works when he bought his bicycle; he got a bell, a light, a basket, and chrome trimmings on it, too./ * /The Greens shot the works on their daughter's wedding reception./ 2. To go the limit; take a risk. * /The motor of Tom's boat was dangerously hot, but he decided to shoot the works and try to win the race./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • shoot the works — {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To spare no expense or effort; get or give everything. * /Billy shot the works when he bought his bicycle; he got a bell, a light, a basket, and chrome trimmings on it, too./ * /The Greens shot the works on their daughter s… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • shoot the works — 1. tv. to do everything; to use everything; to bet all one’s money. □ Okay, let’s go out to dinner and shoot the works. O Don’t shoot the works! Save some for a cab. 2. tv. to empty one’s stomach; to vomit. □ Suddenly she turned sort of green,… …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • shoot the works — phrasal 1. : to play for the highest stake permitted : venture all one s capital on one play 2. : to put forth all one s efforts : to do something without restraint * * * shoot the works (slang) 1. To risk one s all on one play (gambling) 2.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • shoot\ the\ works — v. phr. slang 1. To spare no expense or effort; get or give everything. Billy shot the works when he bought his bicycle; he got a bell, a light, a basket, and chrome trimmings on it, too. The Greens shot the works on their daughter s wedding… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • shoot the works — American, informal to spend all your money or to use as much effort as possible to do something. I could shoot the works on a round the world trip. (usually + on) They shot the works on their daughter s wedding …   New idioms dictionary

  • shoot the works — spare no expense or effort They are planning to shoot the works when they plan the victory celebration for the Olympic medal winners …   Idioms and examples

  • shoot the works — phrasal 1. to venture all one s capital on one play 2. to put forth all one s efforts …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • shoot the works — make a great effort; gamble all of one s money …   English contemporary dictionary

  • the works — {n. plural}, {slang} 1. Everything that can be had or that you have; everything of this kind, all that goes with it. * /When the tramp found $100, he went into a fine restaurant and ordered the works with a steak dinner./ 1b. See: SHOOT THE WORKS …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • the works — {n. plural}, {slang} 1. Everything that can be had or that you have; everything of this kind, all that goes with it. * /When the tramp found $100, he went into a fine restaurant and ordered the works with a steak dinner./ 1b. See: SHOOT THE WORKS …   Dictionary of American idioms

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