[Idiom] whatever it may take

[Marina Gaidar]

I found different versions of one and the same idiom - "whatever it may take", "whatever the cost", "whatever the price", "whatever it costs". Which one is the only true?

Thanks in advance

 

[Gillnetter]

I found different versions of one and the same idiom - "whatever it may take", "whatever the cost", "whatever the price", "whatever it costs". Which one is the only true?

Thanks in advance

These are not idioms, these are statements. There is no "true" one (if that is what you meant). "Whatever it may take" is not the same as "Whatever the price" or the others you listed. "Whatever it may take" can refer to an action (to move a car you may have to push it. Whatever it takes to move the car, then, may mean that someone has to push the car), the lack of an action (To resolve this problem, it is best to not speak about it), or it may refer to a price (It may take $10,000.00 to get the bus restored).

 

[Marina Gaidar]

These are not idioms, these are statements. There is no "true" one (if that is what you meant). "Whatever it may take" is not the same as "Whatever the price" or the others you listed. "Whatever it may take" can refer to an action (to move a car you may have to push it. Whatever it takes to move the car, then, may mean that someone has to push the car), the lack of an action (To resolve this problem, it is best to not speak about it), or it may refer to a price (It may take $10,000.00 to get the bus restored).

Which one suits the following context: "You should find him and bring him back in spite of all the obstacles you may face"?

 

[Gillnetter]

Any of the ones you listed would work if you mean that "cost" and "price' are not restricted to money. The "cost" or "price" here might mean physical difficulities, or putting yourself in a dangerous situation.