à fond
/a fɔ̃/
The English phrase "all out" can be translated into French as à fond.
The expression à fond is used to describe doing something with maximum intensity, speed or effort.
Meaning: with maximum effort (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition à (at/to) and the noun fond (bottom/depth), literally meaning to the bottom.
Which one should you use?
The idiomatic expression à fond les ballons is a more colorful, colloquial way to say "all out" or "at full speed".
How do you pronounce it?
/a fɔ̃/
Did you know?
- The colorful phrase à fond les ballons likely comes from old music or carnival organs, where the 'ballons' were the bellows that pumped air. Pushing them à fond meant the music played at its loudest and most energetic volume.
- In French, the word fond is a homophone of fonds, which refers to financial capital or land ownership. This means a phrase about giving maximum effort sounds exactly like a word for money.
- The word fond in this phrase shares the same Latin ancestor, 'fundus', with the English word 'foundation', as both relate to the bottom or base of something.
Examples in context
- Elle s'est investie pleinement dans cette tâche.She fully committed herself to this task.
- Nous avons mis tous les moyens en œuvre pour atteindre nos objectifs.We went all out to achieve our goals.
- Ils ont tout donné pour gagner la compétition.They went all out to win the competition.
- Je me suis donné à fond pour terminer ce projet.I went all out to finish this project.
- J'ai donné le maximum lors de la compétition.I went all out during the competition.
- Il travaille à fond.He is working all out / He is working at full capacity.
- Je travaille à fond sur ce projet.I am working at full speed on this project.
- Il faut y aller à fond pour gagner.You have to go all out to win.
- Elle s'entraîne à fond chaque matin.She trains with maximum effort every morning.
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are discussing a preparation for a marathon.
- ChloéTu vas courir à fond aujourd'hui ?Are you going to run all out today?
- HugoOui, je veux tester mes limites.Yes, I want to test my limits.
- ChloéFais attention à ne pas trop t'épuiser.Be careful not to exhaust yourself too much.
- HugoNe t'inquiète pas, je vais bien.Don't worry, I'll be fine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry à fond, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fond, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
