Idioms and Expressions - All

All-nighter

Definition: do something (for instance a study session) that lasts all night

We pulled an all-nighter to get ready for the exam.
The graduation party was an all-nighter.

All over something

Definition: very fond of something

He's all over the latest fashions.
Peter's all over antique furniture.

All right (!)

Definition: Yes, okay, fine

That's all right by me!
All right! I got an A+ on my term paper.

All shook up

Definition: extremely excited, worried, or disturbed about something

He's all shook up about his mother's illness.
Wow! I'm all shook up about Alice.

All that and then some

Definition: even more than what has been mentioned

He did all that and then some to get the new job.
Yes, that's right. All that and then some!

All the way (with go)

Definition: do something completely

He's going all the way for the scholarship.
We went all the way to California on our vacation.

Dash it all!

Definition: expression used when very upset

Dash it all! I didn't do very well.
Dash it all! She can't come this weekend.

For all I know

Definition: based on what I know (usually expressing displeasure)

For all I know, he'll come and win the prize.
They've decided to hire Jack for all I know.

Free for all

Definition: crazy, non-restricted activity (generally a fight)

It was a free for all! Everyone went crazy!
They stepped in to break up the free for all.

Have it all together

Definition: be very poised, successful

He has it all together. The house, the wife, the kids, the great job - everything!
I was very impressed with the candidate. She seemed to have it all together.

Hold all the aces

Definition: have all the advantages

Unfortunately, Tom holds all the aces right now. You'll have to do what he says.
I'm holding all the aces so I can do whatever I want.

Know all the angles

Definition: be very clever about something

Jack knows all the angles. Be careful!
The salesman knew all the angles, and by the end of our talk I had bought a new computer!

Not all there

Definition: not intelligent, not completely focused on an activity

I'm afraid Peter is not all there. He needs some help badly.
Unfortunately, I was not all there and lost the final match.

Of all the nerve!

Definition: expression of anger at someone's behavior

Of all the nerve! Did you see how that woman treated me?
Of all the nerve! She took me seat!

Once and for all

Definition: finally (usually putting an end to something)

I'm going to stop his behavior once and for all!
Let's get this over once and for all.

Pull out all the stops

Definition: make every possible effort to do something

He pulled out all the stops on the exam.
We're going to pull out all the stops on our presentation.

You can't win them all.

Definition: expression of acceptance after a loss or disappointment

Well, you can't win them all. Let's go home.
You did your best. You can't win them all