go for the gold

• go for the gold ring

An allusion to the gold medal, the highest prize in many major competitive events, especially in the Olympic Games.

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go for the gold

1. (idiomatic) To attempt to achieve the maximum reward or result in an endeavor.
   • 1993, Nora Roberts, Honest Illusions‎, →ISBN, page 439:

     Deciding to go for the gold, he leaned close to Luke's ear and whispered, "Can you tell Mama I should have a dog? A really big dog?"

   • 2007, "Eco-friendly Napa Valley hotel caters to conscientious travelers," USA Today, 3 Jan. (retrieved 20 July 2009):

     The 132-room Gaia Napa Valley Hotel wants to go for the gold, making it the highest-rated hotel in the state and the nation.