go to the well

English

Verb

go to the well (third-person singular simple present goes to the well, present participle going to the well, simple past went to the well, past participle gone to the well)

1. (idiomatic) To draw on a resource or reserve (that may be at risk of being exhausted).
   • 2024 April 20, Phil McNulty, “Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport‎^[1]:

     City manager Pep Guardiola asked his side, who suffered such bitter disappointed as their hold on the Champions League trophy was wrestled away by Spanish giants Real, to go to the well once more against a highly-motivated Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Related terms

• the jug goes to the well until it breaks
• the pitcher goes so often to the well that it is broken at last