It took every ounce of attention I possessed to get any movement at all.
It took every last ounce of his strength to draw back.
It took every ounce of his control to simply stand there and not reach for her.
Such a simple request, and yet one that would take every ounce of his strength.
"It took every ounce of whatever we had left to win."
But it took every ounce of will to hold back the grin.
It took every ounce of control he had learned to keep from throwing himself at the soldiers.
It took every ounce of her control not to jump back in surprise.
It took every ounce of effort to keep her voice even.
It was taking every ounce of strength we had just to walk.