全力以赴

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: quán lì yǐ fù
• English Translation: To go all out (to give one's all)
• Idiom Composition: 「全」（All, entire, or whole）＋「力」（Strength, power, or energy）＋「以」（Using or with (a preposition indicating means)）＋「赴」（To go toward or to apply oneself to a task）
• Meaning: To devote every ounce of one's strength and energy toward achieving a specific goal or completing a task. It is a commendatory term describing a proactive and determined attitude where one spares no mental or physical resources.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「全力以赴」 contains the following nuances:

• The Nuance of 赴 (fù): While 赴 (fù) literally means 'to go,' in this idiom it refers to an active, charging stance toward a task. It creates a vivid image of someone rushing forward with their entire being to tackle a challenge.
• Commitment to Results: This idiom lacks the passive nuance of 'doing what is possible.' Instead, it implies a 'do or die' attitude where one is willing to push their limits to ensure success.

3. Usage

「全力以赴」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Business and Projects: Used when a team or individual is fully committed to meeting a critical deadline or completing a major mission.
  • Example:「为了按时完成这个项目，整个团队都在全力以赴。」
    （In order to complete this project on time, the entire team is going all out.）
• Sports and Competition: Describes the spirit of competing at one's absolute best, regardless of who the opponent is.
  • Example:「无论对手是谁，我们都要全力以赴，争取胜利。」
    （No matter who the opponent is, we must give our all to strive for victory.）
• Exams and Personal Goals: Expresses the determination to immerse oneself in preparation for life-changing milestones like entrance exams.
  • Example:「高考临近，我必须全力以赴地复习，不能有半点松懈。」
    （With the college entrance exam approaching, I must devote all my energy to reviewing and cannot afford any slack.）

Additional Examples:

1. 面对突如其来的疫情，医护人员全力以赴救治每一位患者。
   （Facing the sudden outbreak, medical staff went all out to treat every patient.）
2. 请放心，这件事交给我，我一定全力以赴。
   （Please rest assured, leave this matter to me; I will definitely give it my all.）
3. 虽然困难重重，但只要我们全力以赴，就一定能找到解决办法。
   （Although there are many difficulties, as long as we put in our full effort, we will surely find a solution.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The idiom can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty historian Zhao Yi (赵翼) in his work Notes on the Twenty-Two Histories (二十二史札记). Originally, it described a trend in the Eastern Han Dynasty where people went to extremes or performed eccentric acts to gain fame. In modern usage, however, it has evolved into a purely positive expression for the 'pinnacle of effort.'
• When compared to the similar phrase 尽力而为 (jìn lì ér wéi), 全力以赴 (quán lì yǐ fù) is much more intense. While 尽力而为 (jìn lì ér wéi) can sometimes sound like a disclaimer (meaning 'I'll do my best, but I can't guarantee the result'), 全力以赴 (quán lì yǐ fù) suggests a total commitment with no retreat.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 竭尽全力 (jié jìn quán lì): To exhaust all of one's strength; almost synonymous and often interchangeable with 全力以赴 (quán lì yǐ fù).link
  • 不遗余力 (bù yí yú lì): To spare no effort; literally 'leaving no strength remaining.'
  • 一鼓作气 (yī gǔ zuò qì): To accomplish something in one vigorous effort.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 敷衍了事 (fū yǎn liǎo shì): To work half-heartedly or just go through the motions to get a job over with.
  • 三心二意 (sān xīn èr yì): To be half-hearted, distracted, or unable to concentrate on a single goal.
  • 得过且过 (dé guò qiě guò): To muddle through, taking one day at a time without much thought for the future.link

6. Summary

全力以赴 (quán lì yǐ fù) is a powerful idiom used to express a firm commitment to success. Whether in business, sports, or academics, it serves as a declaration of one's intent to give a 'best-ever' performance. It conveys a much stronger and more proactive will than the phrase 尽力而为 (jìn lì ér wéi), which simply means 'to do what one can.'