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Dave_anon Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary

Full-court press

Hi

I'm reading the latest Lee Childs and, toward the end of the second chapter, the hero gets (of course) involved in an urgent situation. He says:

- This is a full-court press

Can anyone help me with the meaning or origin of that?

Thanks, Dave
  

Top answer

I think I've found it It's a complex strategy in basketball, where both attacking and defensive players move at the basket. So in UK English it means 'We're pulling out all the stops on this one' Dave

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7 Answers
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I think I've found it

It's a complex strategy in basketball, where both attacking and defensive players move at the basket. So in UK English it means 'We're pulling out all the stops on this one'

Dave
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Hi Dave,

It's a term from basket-ball.
Look here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full-court_press

I usually just think of it as meaning 'an all-out effort'.

I wouldn't want to get in Reacher's way if he tried a full-court press.
I've read all the books.

Clive
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Hi Clive, and thanks

'All-out effort' sounds right

I've read them all too

Dave
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Tom Cruise's movie was very disappointing.
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Hi

I agree. Mainly, I think, because he doesn't look anything like Jack Reacher

Dave
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Cruise is 5.7 or 8
Reacher is 6.5
Child himself is 6.4 or 5
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Hi

I would rate Child higher than that when it comes to blockbuster thrillers. If I go in the supermarket, late summer, and it's there, I buy it. At least 7.85

Dave