broke

[brohk] /broʊk/
verb
1.
a simple past tense of break.
2.
Nonstandard. a past participle of break.
3.
Archaic. a past participle of break.
adjective
4.
without money; penniless.
5.
bankrupt.
noun
6.
Papermaking. paper unfit for sale; paper that is to be repulped.
7.
brokes, wool of poor quality taken from the neck and belly of sheep.
Idioms
8.
go broke,
  1. to become destitute of money or possessions.
  2. to go bankrupt:
    In that business people are forever going broke.
9.
go for broke, to exert oneself or employ one's resources to the utmost.
Origin
1655-65 (adj.); 1875-80 (noun)
Synonyms
4, 5. insolvent, destitute, impoverished.
British Dictionary definitions for go for broke

broke

/brəʊk/
verb
1.
the past tense of break
adjective
2.
(informal) having no money; bankrupt
3.
(slang) go for broke, to risk everything in a gambling or other venture
Word Origin and History for go for broke

broke

adj.

past tense and obsolete past participle of break (v.); extension to "insolvent" is first recorded 1716 (broken in this sense is attested from 1590s). Old English cognate broc meant, in addition to "that which breaks," "affliction, misery."

Slang definitions & phrases for go for broke

go for broke

verb phrase

To make a maximum effort; stake everything on a big try •This was the battle cry of the 442d Regimental Combat Team, made up of Japanese-Americans, in World War II

[1940s+ Hawaiian English; fr a gambler's last desperate or hopeful wager]


broke

adjective

Entirely out of money; destitute (1660s+)

Related Terms

all hell broke loose, dead broke, flat broke, go broke, go for broke


Idioms and Phrases with go for broke

broke

see:
also see under:
break