Go for broke

Origin of: Go for broke

Go for broke

This American expression means all or nothing and derives from gambling where everything is risked on one bet. It was in widespread use from the 1950s but one source maintains it was the motto of the US 442nd Infantry Regiment in 1943. This regiment comprised Japanese Americans who for obvious reasons were sent to fight in Europe. They claimed the expression was originally Hawaiian Pidgin as used by gamblers. This story is unconfirmed in strict etymological terms. See also broke or bankrupt.