English Idioms and Expressions Using the Word 'All'

The following English idioms and expressions use the word 'all'. Each idiom or expression has a definition and three example sentences to help your understanding of these common idiomatic expressions with '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.
• I'm afraid I'm going to have to pull an all-nighter to get the report ready for tomorrow.

All Over Something

Definition: Very fond of something

• He's all over the latest fashions.
• Peter's all over antique furniture.
• I'm all over that author's works.

All Right

Definition: Yes, okay, fine

• That's all right by me!
• All right! I got an A+ on my term paper.
• I think he's all right with the changes we foresee. 

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.
• I don't want you to get all shook up over the news.

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!
• I think he'll do all that and then some in order to get the company back on its feet. 

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.
• I think you can go all the way to finals in this competition.

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.
• I'm afraid the position didn't work out. Dash it all!

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.
• For all he knows, she wants to get married. 

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.
• Black Friday is generally a free for all that I try to avoid. 

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.
• I hope the new recruit has it all together. We need a team player. 

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.
• I'm afraid this is a situation in which you don't hold all the aces.

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!
• If you need some help with math talk to Peter. He knows all the angles. 

Know It All

Definition: Someone who seems to know everything and lets everybody know that he / she knows everything, used in a negative sense

• I know you think you are a know it all, but you don't know everything. 
• I hate Tom. He's such a know it all in class.
• Don't think you know it all. 

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.
• Be quiet. The boss is not all there today. Give him plenty of room.

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 my seat!
• You didn't buy him a present?! Of all the nerve! That guy has always treated you well. 

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.
• I'd like to review the grammar one more time. Hopefully, this will make it clear 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.
• I'd like to throw a huge party that pulls out all the stops. 

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
• I tried to get the job, but I didn't. You can't win them all.