to-leave-no-stone-unturned
/tə liːv nəʊ stəʊn ʌnˈtɜːnd/ IELTSAcademic
idiom
To do everything possible to find something, solve a problem, or achieve a result. It suggests a full and careful effort, with nothing left undone.
- The police left no stone unturned in the search.
- She left no stone unturned to find a job.
- We will leave no stone unturned in this project.
Adinary Nuance
Leave no stone unturned is stronger and more complete than try hard or make an effort. It means searching or working in every possible way, not just doing the obvious things. Writers often choose it when they want to stress total effort, especially in formal or serious situations.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- không bỏ sót cách nào
- Spanish
- no escatimar esfuerzos
- Chinese
- 不遗余力
- Japanese
- あらゆる手を尽くす
- Korean
- 온갖 노력을 다하다
Etymology
This idiom comes from an old Greek story later repeated in Latin. It pictures turning over every stone while searching for something hidden. It has been used in English since the 1500s.
Common phrases
leave no stone unturnedwill leave no stone unturnedleft no stone unturned
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is leave no stone unturned formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal and common in writing, speeches, and news reports.
- Can I use leave no stone unturned in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It sounds natural in academic and formal English.
- Does it mean the same as try hard?
- Not exactly. It means trying in every possible way, not just trying hard.
- How do I use it in a sentence?
- Use it before an action: 'We will leave no stone unturned to solve it.'