at most vs. at the very most vs. at the utmost

[Our Tort System]

Hi,

I'm not sure I understand how to use these four expressions. I've compiled four sentences. Which sentences sit right with you?

1. If push comes to shove he will outlay $100 at most.
2. If push comes to shove he will outlay $100 at the very most.
3. If push comes to shove he will outlay $100 at the utmost.
4. If push comes to shove he will outlay $100 at the outmost.

Thanks.
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If it's not easy, don't do it!
That's how I got where I am.

[Beeesneees]

All of them other than 4.... but possibly that's just a typo!
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Cheers m' dears!

[Alan]

Hi OTS,

1 and 2, yes. Definitely not 4. And 3 seems to need a noun after 'utmost',

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Our Tort System]

Thank you, Bev and Alan!

[Alan]

Hi,

What I meant was that I associate 'utmost' with expressions like 'utmost difficulty/hardship' and so on. It doesn't really work with the way you have used 'utmost'.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Cristina.ro]

[Our Tort System]

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the clarification!

Hi Cristina,

That's the way I intended it. I don't know how it comes across to native speakers though. Only they can tell ;)
_________________
If it's not easy, don't do it!
That's how I got where I am.

[Cristina.ro]

Thanks Tort -- you really make use of them idioms! :-)

[Beeesneees]

... at the utmost' works for me, Tort... I would assume that you were talking about the utmost that he is prepared to pay.

Here's a different context taken from a dictionary:
the extreme limit or extent: His patience was taxed to the utmost.

Though 'at the uttermost' works too!
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Cheers m' dears!

[Our Tort System]