# pull out all the stops

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/pull-out-all-the-stops
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To hold back or reserve nothing.

## Examples

- We pulled out all the stops to finish the project on time.
- You should pull out all the stops for your final exam.
- The hosts pulled out all the stops for the wedding, hiring a live band and serving a five-course dinner.
- The hospital pulled out all the stops to ensure every patient received expert care during the sudden winter storm.
- Determined to secure the contract, the firm pulled out all the stops, presenting a flawless proposal that surpassed every expectation set by the board.

## Origin

An allusion to the mechanical handles of a pipe organ, which the organist pulls out to activate specific sets of pipes. Each stop corresponds to a particular sound or rank of pipes; when pushed in, the corresponding sound is silenced. The idiom describes the state of the instrument when every stop is extended. By pulling out all the stops, the organist allows air to flow through all ranks simultaneously, producing the maximum possible volume and variety of sound the machine can manage.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.