Etymology Journal ยท G
Go whole hog
Meaning
- To commit to something completely and without reservation. It implies you are not holding anything back and are fully invested in the endeavor.
Enthusiastic, bold
Used in a sentence
- If we are going to renovate the kitchen, let us go whole hog and upgrade the appliances too.
- She decided to go whole hog and start her own bakery.
- Don't just do half the job; go whole hog or go home.
The backstory
This is likely an American expression from the early 19th century. It refers to someone deciding to eat the whole animal, including the parts that are usually discarded, rather than just picking at the good bits.
Heard in
Nationwide
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