ENGLISH
REFERENCE

play it for all it's worth

idiom
Meaning

to take full advantage of


Examples
SIMPLE

He has a talent, so he plays it for all it's worth.

CONTEXTUAL

She knows the boss likes her ideas, so she plays it for all it's worth to get a promotion.

COMPLEX

Recognizing the sudden surge in public interest, the author played it for all it's worth, scheduling back-to-back interviews and signing sessions across the country.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all it's cracked up to be

    As good as claims or reputation would suggest.

  2. 02

    all one's life's worth

    A momentous matter; a very serious risk; a difficult task or situation.

  3. 03

    child's play

    Something particularly easy or simple.

  4. 04

    dime's worth

    An insignificant amount

  5. 05

    go play in the traffic

    To go elsewhere and feel free to engage in risky behavior; to get lost.

  6. 06

    grandstand play

    A successful play or other manoeuvre during a sporting competition in which one or more players shows off unnecessarily in order to entertain or impress the spectators.

  7. 07

    hold-up play

    A play where an attacker retains possession of the ball, while the teammates can move up the field.

  8. 08

    if it's all the same

    If it makes no difference; if nobody minds; if it doesn't bother anyone.

Last updated July 12, 2026