When we say someone "pulled out the stops," we mean that they have put forth great effort or done everything in their power to accomplish something. There are many synonyms to this phrase, such as "went all out," "gave it their all," "went the extra mile," "left no stone unturned," "spared no effort," "exerted themselves to the fullest," "did everything possible" and "put their best foot forward." These phrases all convey the idea of pushing oneself to achieve success or overcome a challenge. Whether in sports, business, or personal matters, sometimes it's necessary to pull out all the stops to achieve one's goals.