all-or-nothing

adjective

all-or-noth·​ing

ˌȯl-ər-ˈnə-thiŋ

1

: all-or-none

2

a

: accepting no less than everything

he's an all-or-nothing perfectionist

b

: risking everything

an all-or-nothing combat strategy

Examples of all-or-nothing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The slogan expresses an all-or-nothing fantasy: either the thrilling overthrow of settler colonialism in all the land of Palestine, or else the glorious martyrdom of the noble resistance. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2025

But perfectionists live in an all-or-nothing world: because something has been lost, everything has been lost. —Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025

Duran has thrived in a smaller market with a franchise that does not harbor all-or-nothing expectations. —Matt Gelb, New York Times, 31 July 2025

That all-or-nothing approach is leading to loss of talent, knowledge, and trust. —Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for all-or-nothing

• nothing

Medical Definition

all-or-nothing

adjective

all-or-noth·​ing -ˈnəth-iŋ 

: all-or-none