This idiom means to risk everything or make an all-out effort for a goal, as if gambling all one’s resources in a desperate bid. It conveys boldness or desperation, often used in personal, professional, or competitive contexts to depict high-stakes action. The phrase carries a tone of daring, recklessness, or commitment, reflecting cultural values of ambition and the human tendency to take big risks. Its gambling imagery evokes a final bet, resonating in scenarios like ventures or contests. The idiom captures all-in effort, making it a thrilling metaphor for total commitment.

The phrase originated in mid-20th-century America, tied to Hawaiian pidgin slang from gambling, where ‘broke’ meant losing everything, as noted in military slang during World War II. Its earliest recorded use appears in *The New York Times* (1940s), for soldiers’ risks. The idiom gained traction in the 1950s, amplified by films like *Go for Broke!* (1951) about Japanese-American troops. Its adoption, primarily in the U.S., stems from its dynamic imagery and relevance to risk-taking, with use in Canada and Australia.