Maximum extent, in an idiom

HILT

Not available

The phrase "to the hilt" is a common idiom meaning "to the maximum extent" or "completely." The clue hints at this expression by asking for the "maximum extent" in idiomatic terms, where "hilt" is the key word—the part of a sword’s handle farthest from the blade, often used to describe going all the way. So, the answer is simply "HILT," the word that completes the idiom.