Question

Go for Broke to risk everything on one big goal or effort; to try as hard as possible

Accepted Answer

Instead of applying to several colleges, he went for broke and applied only to his first choice. Since the 17th century "broke" has meant "without money." Two hundred years later, this idiom was created at the gambling tables. When a gambler "went for broke," he risked all his money at once in a wager. If he won, he was rich. If he lost, he was broke. Today, people who "go for broke" try as hard as possible to achieve a single goal.

Idiom	Go for Broke
Example	Instead of applying to several colleges, he went for broke and applied only to his first choice.
Meaning	to risk everything on one big goal or effort; to try as hard as possible
Origin	Since the 17th century "broke" has meant "without money." Two hundred years later, this idiom was created at the gambling tables. When a gambler "went for broke," he risked all his money at once in a wager. If he won, he was rich. If he lost, he was broke. Today, people who "go for broke" try as hard as possible to achieve a single goal.

Broke Hard Applying Colleges Applied Choice Risk Big