Fixed expressions
Idioms
English fixed expressions — phrases whose meaning isn't obvious from the individual words. Each entry shows the meaning, an example sentence, and its register.
Idioms containing all, including its inflections. Clear word filter
all hell broke loose
CEFR B2a situation suddenly became extremely noisy, chaotic, or violent
all in a day's work
CEFR B2a task treated as routine because it belongs to someone's normal duties
all or nothing
CEFR B2requiring complete success or acceptance, with no partial alternative
all systems go
CEFR B2everything is ready for an activity to begin
all talk and no action
CEFR B2full of promises or discussion without doing the things promised
all the rage
CEFR B2extremely fashionable or popular at a particular time
cover all bases
CEFR B2to consider and prepare for every important part, possibility, or problem so nothing is missed
don't put all your eggs in one basket
CEFR B2Don't risk everything on a single plan or possibility.
go all in
CEFR B2to commit fully to something, risking everything you have
it's all Greek to me
CEFR B2I cannot understand it at all
jack of all trades
CEFR B2a versatile person with many useful skills but no necessary specialization
laugh all the way to the bank
CEFR B2to enjoy a large, easy profit, especially from something others consider unfair or undeserving
once and for all
CEFR B2finally and permanently, so the matter will not need to be handled again
pull an all-nighter
CEFR B2to stay up and work through the entire night
walk all over
CEFR B2to dominate or treat someone disrespectfully as though they have no power
warts and all
CEFR B2Shown or accepted honestly and completely, including every flaw and imperfection.
when all is said and done
CEFR B2ultimately, after everything has been discussed and considered
I'm all right, Jack
CEFR C1used to criticize a selfish attitude of being comfortable and ignoring other people's difficulties
hold all the cards
CEFR C1to be in a position of complete control in a negotiation
it will all come out in the wash
CEFR C1the problems or confusion will eventually be resolved
it's all over but the shouting
CEFR C1the result is effectively decided although the event has not formally ended
let it all hang out
CEFR C1behave freely without hiding your feelings or worrying about restraint
pull out all the stops
CEFR C1to make the maximum possible effort, holding nothing back
to all intents and purposes
CEFR C1in every way that matters in practice; effectively
winner takes all
CEFR C1a market dynamic in which the leading competitor captures nearly all the value