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

While striving for excellence can be motivating in some areas, this all-or-nothing mentality often leads to rigid expectations that are unsustainable. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

The debate is largely framed as an all-or-nothing proposition. —Craig Peters, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024

Council President Mitra Jalali has likened the city’s existing menu of options for errant property owners to an all-or-nothing approach. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 29 Nov. 2024

Philanthropy, however, does not have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. —Robert Reiss, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

all-or-nothing

adjective

all-or-noth·​ing -ˈnəth-iŋ 

: all-or-none