American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

all along

From the start, throughout, from end to end, as in I've known he was innocent all along. [c. 1600]

Also see ALL ALONG THE LINE.

all along the line Also, all the way down the line. At every point, stage, or moment. For example, We've had problems with this supplier all along the line, or He's been very helpful all the way down the line. The line originally referred to a row of troops, but the expression has been used figuratively since the late 1800s. Also see

all and sundry

One and all, as in The salesman gave samples to all and sundry. [Late 1400s]

all at once

1.All at the same time, as in We can't get inside all at once, so please wait your turn. [Late 1300s]

2.Suddenly, unexpectedly, as in All at once the sky darkened. For a synonym, see ALL OF A

SUDDEN.

all at sea

hand. see AT SEA.

all better

Completely healed or cured, as in Once we've bandaged it up, you'll be all better. This term is often used to comfort a child who has been hurt. It uses all in the sense of "entirely" and better in the sense of "cured." The usage has been in the language since A.D. 1000.

all but

Almost, nearly, as in I've all but finished the book. This expression was used by Andrew Marvell in "Thoughts in a Garden": "Society is all but rude, To this delicious solitude." [Late 1500s]

all cylinders

hand. see FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS.

all ears

Eager to hear something, listening attentively, as in Tell me who else was invited? I'm all ears. [Colloquial; late 1700s] Also see ALL EYES.

all else being equal

hand. see OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL.

alley

In addition to the idiom beginning with ALLEY, also see BLIND ALLEY; RIGHT UP ONE'S ALLEY.

alley cat

A promiscuous woman; also, a person of loose morals. For example, She's constantly picking up men in bars?

a real alley cat. This idiom transfers a stray cat that frequents alleys in search of food to a woman of easy virtue, especially a prostitute seeking customers. [Slang; early 1900s]

all eyes

Watching very closely, as in The buyers at the fashion show were all eyes. Worded slightly differently (with all one's eyes), this idiom dates from the mid-1500s. Also see its counterpart, ALL

EARS.

all for

Completely in favor of something or someone, as in I'm all for eating before we leave, or The players are all for the new soccer coach. This colloquial phrase was first recorded in 1864.

all for the best Also, for the best. Best in the long run, despite appearances to the contrary. It is often a response to an unhappy outcome, as in They had to sell their business, but since they weren't making money it's probably for the best, or The dress had been sold when she went back, but since it was a little too tight it's all for the best. [Late 1300s]

all gone

Completely finished or used up, as in There's no milk left; it's all gone.

all hours

Irregular times, as in You can't come home at all hours and expect your supper to be ready. The expression can also mean "late at night," as in College students like to stay up talking until all hours. It is sometimes amplified into all hours of the day and night. [c. 1930]

all in, be

1.Be tired out, exhausted, as in I can't walk another step; I'm all in. [Slang; second half of 1800s]

2.In card games, especially poker, be out of money, as in I'm finished for the night; I'm all in. It refers to having put all of one's money in the pot. In his historical dictionary of slang, J.E. Lighter suggests that the gambling usage, first recorded in 1907, may be the source of the first sense.

all in a day's work Also, all in the day's work. Expected and normal, as in He said I bad to finish these reports by five o'clock?

all in the day's work. This phrase is sometimes used as an ironic comment on an unpleasant but not abnormal situation. The expression possibly alludes to the nautical term day's work, defined in 1789 as the reckoning of a ship's course during the 24 hours from noon to noon. [c. 1800]

all in all

Taking everything into account, as in All in all our trip to Europe was a success. [First half of 1500s]

all in good time

hand. see IN GOOD TIME.

all in one piece Also, in one piece. Entirely undamaged or unharmed, as in Given all the airport delays and bad weather, we were glad to arrive all in one piece, or She was relieved when he returned from Nepal in one piece. [Early 1800s]

all in the family

hand. see under IN THE FAMILY.

all joking aside Also, all kidding aside. Seriously, as in I know I said I'd quit, but all joking aside this job is too much for one person, or All kidding aside, I hate to lose at croquet. This phrase often accompanies a joking statement.

all kinds of

1. Also, all manner or sorts of. All or many varieties of something, as in Before the banquet, they served all kinds of drinks, or He sold exotic fruit of all sorts, or The museum featured all manner of artifacts. [Early 1300s] 2. A large amount of something, as in She has all kinds of money. This hyperbolic usage is colloquial.

all of hand. 1. The entire amount of something, as in The baby ate all of his cereal. This usage is relatively new, the word of being included only from about 1800 on. 2. No less than, at least, as in Although she looked much younger, she was all of seventy. [First half of 1800s]

all of a sudden

Entirely without warning, abruptly, as in All of a sudden the lights went out. In Shakespeare's day the common phrase was of a sudden, the word all being added in the late 1600s. Also see ALL AT

ONCE, def. 2.

all of the above Also, none of the above. Each one (not any) of the above-named alternatives. For example, Have you decided to quit and announced your decision, or do you want to find another job first??

None of the above. These phrases originated as answers to a multiple-choice question on a test but are now also used colloquially, often as a form of avoiding a direct answer. They use above in the sense of "preceding," a usage dating from the second half of the 1700s.

all one

hand. see ALL THE SAME, def. 1.

all out

With all one's strength, ability, or resources; not holding back. For example, They are going all out to make the fund-raiser a success. This seemingly modern term dates from about 1300, when it meant "completely" or "wholly." It now refers to making a great effort and is also used adjectivally, as in an all-out effort. This usage became current in America in the late 1800s, with reference to races and other kinds of athletic exertion. In the mid-1900s it gave rise to the phrase to go all out and was transferred to just about any energetic undertaking. Also see GO WHOLE HOG.

all outdoors, big as

hand. see BIG AS LIFE, def. 3.

all over

1. Everywhere. The phrase may be used alone, as in I've looked all over for that book, or The very thought of poison ivy makes me itch all over. In addition it can be used as a preposition, meaning "throughout," as in The news spread all over town. [Early 1600s] Also see FAR AND WIDE. 2.

In all respects, as in He is his Aunt Mary all over. Charles Lamb had this usage in a letter (1799) about a poem: "The last lines . . . are Burns all over." [Early 1700s]

3.Also, all over again. Again from the beginning. For example, They're going to play the piece all over, or Do you mean you're starting all over again? [Mid-1500s]

4.Also, all over with. Quite finished, completed, as in By the time I arrived the game was all over, or Now that she passed the test, her problems are all over with. This phrase uses over in the sense of ''finished," a usage dating from the 1300s. Also see ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTING; HAVE IT (ALL OVER), def. 4.

all over but the shouting

The outcome is a certainty, as in When Jim hit the ball over the fence, it was all over but the shouting. The term's first use in print, in 1842, was by Welsh sportswriter Charles James Apperley, but some authorities believe it originated even earlier in the United States for a close political race. Today it is applied to any contest. A common British version is all over bar the shouting.

all over one

In close physical contact. For example, Whenever I visit, that dog of Jane's is all over me. [Early

1900s] Also see FALL ALL OVER ONE; HAVE IT ALL OVER ONE.

all over the place Also, all over town or the world. hand. See under ALL OVER,

def. 1.

all over with

hand. see ALL OVER, def. 3; IT'S ALL OVER WITH.

allowance

hand. see MAKE ALLOWANCE.

allow for

Leave room for, permit, as in We have enough chairs to allow for forty extra guests, or Our denomination allows for a large variety of beliefs. [Early 1700s] Also see MAKE ALLOWANCE.

all present and accounted for

All members or items of a group are here or their whereabouts are known, as in Is everyone ready to board the bus??

All present and accounted for. This expression almost certainly originated in the armed forces as a response to roll call. By proper logic, the and should be or. Nevertheless, the expression is used colloquially to offer assurance that no person or thing is missing.

all right

1. Completely correct, as in You have a perfect score?

your answers are all right. (It could just as well be put as "all your answers are right.") 2. In proper or working order, in a satisfactory way, as in The engine is running all right now. [Late 1800s] Also

see TURN OUT ALL RIGHT. 3. In good health, as in John had the flu, but he's all right now. [Early 1900s] 4. Not injured, safe, as in It was just a minor accident and everyone is all right. [Early 1900s] 5. Very well, yes, as in Do you want to leave now??

All right, or All right, we'll stay home. [First half of 1800s] Also see ALL RIGHT WITH YOU. 6.

Certainly, without a doubt, as in It's late all right, but it will probably come today.

[Mid-1800s] 7. Hurrah! Good for you, as in All right! your team has done it again! [Slang; mid-1900s] 8. Also, all-right. Good, satisfactory. For example, This restaurant is all right, or Harry is an all-right guy. [Slang; mid-1900s]

all right for you

I'm angry with you. This interjection usually accompanies a threat of revenge, as in All right for you?I won't go out with you again. [Early 1900s]

all right with one Also, all right by one. Agreeable to someone. For example, If you want to practice now, that's all right with me. Although all right alone has signified acquiescence much

longer (see ALL RIGHT, def. 5), the addition of with someone (or, sometimes, by someone) dates from the mid-1900s.

all roads lead to Rome

Many different methods will produce the same result. For example, So long as you meet the deadline, I don't care how much help you get?

all roads lead to Rome. Based on the fact that the Roman Empire's excellent road system radiated from the capital like the spokes of a wheel, this metaphor was already being used in the 1100s.

all set

Ready, in position for some action, as in I'm all set to leave the country. This colloquial term uses set in the sense of "put in proper position or order." The same meaning appears in the traditional Ready, get set, go for starting a race; here set means "in position to start."

all sewed up

hand. see SEWED UP.

all's fair in love and war

Any conduct is permissible in certain circumstances, as in Of course he called her?

all's fair in love and war. This maxim, stated in various forms from 1579 on, today sometimes appears altered by an addition or substitution, as in All's fair in love and the World Series, or All's fair in love and war and an election year.

all shook up

Greatly disturbed or upset, as in His letter left her all shook up. This slangy idiom uses shook instead of the grammatically correct "shaken" (for "agitated") and adds all for emphasis. [Second half of 1900s]

all sorts

hand. see ALL KINDS.

all's well that ends well

Everything has turned out satisfactorily, even though the outcome has been uncertain. For example, His lawyer persuaded Jack to plead guilty, but the court merely put him on probation?

all's well that ends well. This proverb, dating from about 1250, gained even more currency as the title of a Shakespeare comedy.

all systems go

Everything is ready for proceeding, as in They've rented a hall and lined up the speakers, so it's all systems go for the rally. Originating in the late 1960s with reference to launching space missiles and vehicles, this expression has been transferred to general use.

all talk (and no action)

Much discussion but no action or results, as in Don't count on Mary's help?

she's all talk, or Dave has been saying for months that he'll get a summer job, but he's all talk and no action. This idiom may have begun life as all talk and no cider, which Washington Irving cited as an American proverb in Salmagundi (1807). However, similar sayings antedate it by many years?

for example, "The greatest talkers are always the least doers" (John Ray, English Proverbs, 1670).

all that

1. Too, very, usually employed in a negative context meaning not too, not very. For example, The new house is not all that different from your old one. [Mid-1900s] Also see

and everything else of the kind. For example, She enjoys wearing nice clothes and perfume and all that. [c. 1700] Also see AND ALL. 3. See FOR ALL THAT.

all that glitters is not gold

Something attractive is not always what it seems, as in This house is really beautiful, but a close look will show dry rot near the foundation?

all that glitters is not gold. Aesop stated the same idea in two of his fables (c. 600 B.C.), and a

version close to the current wording appeared in 1175.

all the

1. Even, more so, as in Painting the room white will make it all the lighter, or They liked her all the better for not pretending, or You don't care for dessert? Good, all the more for us. Used to underscore a comparison, this idiom was used by Shakespeare in As You Like It (1:2): "All the better; we shall be the more marketable." [Late 1500s] For a synonym, see so MUCH THE. 2.

The entire amount of, as in These cousins were all the family he had. In this usage all the is short for all of the. [Ninth century A.D.]

all the best

1. Also, all of the best. The entire number or amount of the highest quality of something, as in All of the best fruit was on display, or All the best students competed for the award. 2. Best wishes, as in I've got to go now?

all the best to you and the family. This idiom, first recorded in 1937, is used as an oral farewell or to close an informal letter or note.

all the better

hand. see ALL THE, def. 1.

all the rage Also, all the thing. The current or latest fashion, with the implication that it will be short-lived, as in In the 1940s the lindy-hop was all the rage. The use of rage reflects the transfer of an angry passion to an enthusiastic one; thing is vaguer. [Late 1700s] These terms are heard less often today than the synonym THE THING.

all there

Having one's wits about one, mentally competent, as in John may seem absentminded, but believe me, be's all there. This phrase is often used negatively, as not all there, for being without one's full faculties. For example, I wonder about Justin; sometimes it seems as if he's not all there.

[Mid-1800s]

all the same

1. Also, all one. Equally acceptable, making no difference. For example, If it's all the same to you I'd prefer the blue car, or Hot or cold, it's all one to me. [Late 1700s] 2. Also, just the same. Nevertheless, still. For example, John wants to stay another week, but I'm going home all the same, or Even if you vote against it, this measure will pass just the same. [c. 1800]

all the thing

hand. see ALL THE RAGE.

all the time

1. Also, all the while. Throughout a specific period, as in All the time the music was playing she tapped her foot, or The baby slept all the while the fire was being put out. [Late 1400s] 2.

Continuously, without interruption, as in That old refrigerator is running all the time. 3. Frequently, repeatedly, as in He goes to that store all the time.

all the way

1. Also, the whole way. The entire distance, from start to finish, as in He ran all the way home, or The baby cried the whole way home. [Late 1700s] 2. Completely, as in I'm on your side all the way. [First half of 1900s] 3. See GO ALL THE WAY.

all the worse

hand. see ALL THE, def. 1.

all things to all people, be

Satisfy everyone completely, as in The trouble with the governor's campaign is that she is trying to be all things to all people. This proverbial expression is sometimes phrased be all things to all men, but today men is often replaced by people to avoid gender discrimination. The expression originated in Paul's statement (I Corinthians 9:22): "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." Today it often appears in a political context, but phrased negatively, as in

He wants to be a good school committe member, but be can't be all things to all people.

all thumbs

Physically awkward, especially with respect to the hands, as in When it comes to knitting, Mary is all thumbs. The notion of this idiom derives from a proverb in John Heywood's collection of 1546: "When he should get aught, each finger is a thumb."

all told

Added up, in summation, as in The ferry will hold 80 passengers all told, or All told, his proposal makes some good points. This idiom, first recorded in 1850, uses the verb tell in the sense of "count."

all to the good

hand. see TO THE GOOD.

all up

Defeated; also, near death. For example, The home team knew it was all up when their star quarterback was injured, or The party lost their way over a week ago and in this sub-zero weather I'm sure it's all up with them. This idiom uses up in the sense of "finished." [Early 1700s] Also see

ALL OVER, def. 4.

all very well

All right or quite true as far as it goes. For example, It's all very well for Jane to drop out, but how will we find enough women to make up a team? This idiom, first recorded in 1853, generally precedes a question beginning with "but," as in the example. Also see WELL AND GOOD.

all well and good

hand. see WELL AND GOOD.

all wet

Completely wrong, mistaken, as in If you think you can beat the system and win at roulette, you're all wet. The original allusion in this expression is unclear, that is, how moisture or dampness is related to wrongness. [Slang; first half of 1900s]

all wool and a yard wide

Genuine, not fake; of excellent quality; also, honorable. For example, You can count on Ned?

be's all wool and a yard wide. This metaphorical term alludes to a length of highly valued pure-wool cloth that measures exactly a yard (and not an inch less). [Late 1800s]

all work and no play (makes Jack a dull boy)

Hard work without time for recreation is not good for one's health, as in If Harry keeps up that grueling schedule, be's beaded for a breakdown?

all work and no play isn't healthy. A proverb included in James Howell's collection of 1659, this phrase remains so familiar that it is often shortened, as in the example.

all year round

Throughout the entire year, without regard to seasons. For example, Thanks to the indoor courts we can play tennis all year round. [Mid-1700s]

alma mater Also, Alma Mater. The school or college one attended and, usually, graduated from, as in During football season I always check to see how my alma mater is doing. This expression sometimes refers to the institution's official song, as in I never did learn the words to my college's alma mater. The term is Latin for "kind mother." [c. 1800]

alone

hand. see GO IT ALONE; LEAVE SOMEONE ALONE; LEAVE WELL ENOUGH

ALONE; LET ALONE.

along

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with ALONG, also see ALL ALONG; ALL

ALONG THE LINE; BE ALONG; COME ALONG; FOLLOW ALONG; GET ALONG; GO ALONG; PLAY ALONG; RUN ALONG; STRING ALONG.

along for the ride

Participating but not actively, as in Don't ask me how long this job will take; I'm just along for the ride. This metaphoric term often is preceded by just to emphasize the passive role of the "passenger." [Mid1900s]

along in years Also, on in years. Elderly, old. For example, Grandma's along in years now and doesn't hear too well, or Our dog is not as frisky now that he's getting on in years.

This idiom transfers the length of along (and the "onward" of on) to the passage of time. [Late 1800s]

alongside of

1. Beside, next to, as in Tom's canoe lay alongside of mine. [Late 1700s] 2. Together with, as in

Her children played alongside of mine all summer long. [Late 1700s] 3. Compared to, as in My car doesn't look like much alongside of Dad's. [Colloquial; late 1800s]

along the lines of Also, on the lines of. Roughly similar or in keeping with. For example, We told the architect we want a design along the lines of his own house but smaller, or Jane asked the caterer for a menu on the lines of the Morgans' wedding reception. This idiom uses line in the sense of "a direction or procedure," a usage dating from the early 1600s.

along with

1. In association with, as in For his second birthday we sent him a fireman's hat, along with some books, or The audience was invited to sing along with the star. [Early 1700s] 2. In conjunction with, as in Along with what I told you before, that's the whole story of what happened. [Early

1800s] For a synonym, see TOGETHER WITH; also see GO ALONG, def. 2 and 3.

a lot

Very many, a large number; also, very much. For example, A lot of people think the economy is declining, or Sad movies always made her cry a lot. It is sometimes put as a whole lot for greater emphasis, as in I learned a whole lot in his class. It may also emphasize a comparative indication of amount, as in We need a whole lot more pizza to feed everyone, or Mary had a lot less nerve than I expected. [Colloquial; early 1800s]

alpha and omega

The beginning and the end, the first and the last, as in She had to master the alpha and omega of the new computer program before she could even begin. This idiom and its meaning, based on the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, appears in the New Testament (Revelation 1:8): "I am