out-and-out
UK[ˌaʊt ən ˈaʊt]US[ˌaʊt ən ˈaʊt]
adj
Complete and total; absolute.
Etymology
The word 'out-and-out' is a distinctive English formation that emerged in the late 16th century, built entirely from the native Germanic adverb 'out'. Its construction employs repetition for emphatic effect, a pattern seen in other English phrases. The term literally meant 'out and completely out', originally used to describe something thorough or extreme in action. Over time, this literal sense of thoroughness evolved into its modern, abstract meaning of 'absolute' or 'unqualified', used to emphasize the complete nature of a quality, as in 'an out-and-out lie'.
Analysis
This is a reduplicated compound adjective formed from the adverb/preposition 'out'. It is of Germanic origin, from Old English 'ūt'.
Examples
He was an out-and-out liar who couldn't be trusted.
The project was an out-and-out failure from the very beginning.
She won the competition through out-and-out determination.