To risk everything in an attempt to achieve success, using all available resources without holding back.
This phrase originated in gambling, particularly craps, in the early 20th century America. 'Broke' referred to the house or bank running out of money, so 'going for broke' meant betting everything to try to break the bank. The expression gained wider usage during World War II and entered general vocabulary meaning to make an all-out effort.
Interestingly, this phrase flips the usual negative connotation of being 'broke' into something bold and ambitious. It's one of the few expressions where financial ruin is presented as a strategy rather than a consequence, reflecting the American gambling spirit that sometimes big risks yield big rewards.
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