neck or nothing

English

Etymology

Originally a steeplechase phrase; to win by a neck or to be nowhere—i.e. not counted at all because unworthy of notice.

Adverb

neck or nothing (not comparable)

  1. (dated) at all costs.
    • 1960 January, G. Freeman Allen, “"Condor"—British Railways' fastest freight train”, in Trains Illustrated, page 45:
      It is a neck-or-nothing venture to wrest valuable merchandise traffic from road transport.

References

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