6081. Move heaven and earth meaning

 

To move heaven and earth means to put in a massive, extraordinary amount of effort to achieve a goal or make something happen. [1, 2]

Key Details

Meaning: To do everything possible, exhaust every option, or stop at nothing to get a result.
Tone: Hyperbolic—it paints a dramatic picture of someone trying to shift the entire universe to solve a problem.
Origin: The exact origin is uncertain, though the phrase became widely used as a hyperbole in the 18th century. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Common Examples

"I will move heaven and earth to make sure my family is safe."
"The team will move heaven and earth to finish the repair work by tonight." [1, 2]

Similar Expressions

Leave no stone unturned
Spare no effort
Pull out all the stops
Go to great lengths [1]