a todo dar
Lemma Details
Translation: excellently; at full blast; to the max; going all out
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This colloquial Spanish phrase combines 'a' (to/at), 'todo' (all/everything), and 'dar' (to give). Literally meaning 'at everything giving,' it evolved to express something functioning or happening at maximum capacity or intensity. The metaphor suggests giving everything possible, similar to the English expressions 'going full throttle' or 'firing on all cylinders.'
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 30%
Register: informal
Mnemonics
- Think of 'giving it all you've got' - 'dar' means 'to give' and 'todo' means 'all'
- Imagine a car 'giving its all' - going at maximum speed
- Picture someone turning up music 'to the max' - that's 'a todo dar'
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is particularly common in Mexican Spanish and other Latin American countries. It's used in casual conversation to express enthusiasm about something that's excellent or going extremely well. It's often used to describe parties, events, or situations that are exceptionally good or intense.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'a todo dar' is a fixed phrase meaning 'excellently' or 'at full blast', 'dar todo' means 'to give everything' and is used literally about giving or offering all of something.
Confused word:
Voy a dar todo mi esfuerzo en este proyecto.
I'm going to give all my effort to this project.
Notes: 'A todo dar' is an idiomatic expression that cannot be understood from its individual components, while 'dar todo' is a literal verb phrase.
Mnemonic: 'A todo dar' has the preposition 'a' at the beginning, signaling it's a fixed expression about quality or intensity.
Explanation: Both phrases express intensity, but 'a todo dar' is more about excellence or quality, while 'a todo meter' specifically refers to doing something at high speed or intensity.
Notes: Both are colloquial expressions but may be preferred in different contexts or regions.
Mnemonic: 'Dar' relates to giving/quality while 'meter' relates to putting/intensity.