utmost1 adjectiveutmost2 noun
utmostut‧most1 /ˈʌtməʊst $ -moʊst/ (also uttermost) adjective 
the utmost importance/respect/care etc the greatest possible importance etc: 
a matter of the utmost importance I have the utmost respect for her accomplishments. Baldwin treated the matter with the utmost seriousness.utmost1 adjectiveutmost2 noun
utmostutmost2 noun [singular] EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- I respect Reggie White and William Fuller and those guys to the utmost.
- She was angry at Hippolytus and determined to Punish him to the utmost.
- That meant we wanted every flight member to exercise the utmost in creativity and aggressiveness.
- The Derry turn called for the utmost in pilot ability.
- Then he took the bow and did his utmost to string it.
- We must do our utmost to conserve them.
- Which is why, if you've got a bad temper, you probably do your utmost to keep it under wraps.
Longman Language Activatorto try as hard as you can
· Come on, try as hard as you can!· I tried as hard as I could, but I still couldn't get everything into one suitcase.try as hard as you can to do something · She tried as hard as she could to look interested.
to try as hard as you can, even when the situation is difficult and you are not sure if you will succeed: · I don't know if I'll manage to get everything finished by Friday, but I'll certainly do my best.do/try your best to do something: · Harry did his best to sound calm, but it was obvious that he was really annoyed.· She tried her best not to laugh.
to try as hard as you can to do something, even though it is difficult or you do not have enough time, money etc to do it really well: · It's a very tough exam but just do the best you can.· More medical supplies will be arriving next week -- until then, doctors and nurses must do the best they can.do the best you can to do something: · I did the best I could to make him change his mind, but he refused.
informal to do everything possible to make an event, celebration, competition etc successful: · They gave me a great leaving party - they really pulled out all the stops.· If we pull out all the stops we should still be able to meet our deadline.
informal to try to do something as well as you can, even though you do not have all the necessary skills or equipment: · I'm not promising I'll succeed, but I'll give it my best shot.
to try as much as you possibly can, and for as long as possible, to achieve something very difficult: · We have done our utmost. There is no more we could possibly do.do your utmost to do something: · The Secretary of State assured reporters that the Administration was doing its utmost to avoid war.
to use every possible method to try to do something: · I'm trying to help -- I'm doing everything I possibly can.· I did everything I could to raise money, including selling my house.· Her mother did all she could to encourage Tracy to study medicine.
to use all your energy and determination to achieve something that is personally very important to you: · She gave her all in the last race, but it wasn't quite good enough to win.
if you do something as best you can , especially something difficult or unpleasant, you try as hard as you can to do it because you cannot change the situation: · I cleaned the car up as best I could, but it still looked a mess.· We'll have to manage as best we can without you.
if you do something to the best of your ability , you do it as well as you can, even if you are not sure that you are doing it very well: · I have always done my work to the best of my ability.· All the children competed and performed to the best of their ability.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The medical staff did their utmost (=tried as hard as they could) to save the patient’s life.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
the most that can be doneto the utmost The medical staff did their utmost (=tried as hard as they could) to save the patient’s life.· You are advised to take the utmost caution when buying a second-hand car.
· Many people regarded the government with the utmost contempt.
(=be extremely important)· It is of the utmost importance that this matter is kept confidential.
· I have the utmost respect for the prime minister.
Both runners had pushed themselves to the utmost. The medical staff did their utmost (=tried as hard as they could) to save the patient’s life.