Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

4 ADV You use all to emphasize that something is completely true, or happens everywhere or always, or on every occasion. [EMPHASIS ] □  He loves animals and he knows all about them. □  Parts for the aircraft will be made all round the world. □  I got scared and I ran and left her all alone. □  He was doing it all by himself.

5 PRON You use all at the beginning of a clause when you are emphasizing that something is the only thing that is important. [EMPHASIS ] □  He said all that remained was to agree to a time and venue. □  All you ever want to do is go shopping! □  All I could say was, 'I'm sorry'.

6 DET You use all in expressions such as in all sincerity and in all probability to emphasize that you are being sincere or that something is very likely. [EMPHASIS ] □  In all fairness he had to admit that she was neither dishonest nor lazy.

7 ADV You use all when you are talking about an equal score in a game. For example, if the score is three all , both players or teams have three points.

8 ADV All is used in structures such as all the more or all the better to mean even more or even better than before. □  The living room is decorated in pale colours that make it all the more airy.

9 PRON You use all in expressions such as seen it all and done it all to emphasize that someone has had a lot of experience of something. [EMPHASIS ] □  You can't have it all - life is about choice, time is limited. □  Here's a man who has seen it all, tasted and heard it all.

10 PHRASE You say above all to indicate that the thing you are mentioning is the most important point. [EMPHASIS ] □  Above all, chairs should be comfortable.

11 PHRASE You use after all when introducing a statement which supports or helps explain something you have just said. □  I thought you might know somebody. After all, you're the man with connections.

12 PHRASE You use after all when you are saying that something that you thought might not be the case is in fact the case. □  I came out here on the chance of finding you at home after all.

13 PHRASE You use and all when you want to emphasize that what you are talking about includes the thing mentioned, especially when this is surprising or unusual. [EMPHASIS ] □  He dropped his sausage on the pavement and someone's dog ate it, mustard and all.

14 PHRASE You use all in all to introduce a summary or general statement. □  We both thought that all in all it might not be a bad idea.

15 PHRASE You use at all at the end of a clause to give emphasis in negative statements, conditional clauses, and questions. [EMPHASIS ] □  Robin never really liked him at all.

16 PHRASE All but a particular person or thing means everyone or everything except that person or thing. □  The general was an unattractive man to all but his most ardent admirers.

17 PHRASE You use all but to say that something is almost the case. □  The concrete wall that used to divide this city has now all but gone.

18 PHRASE You use for all to indicate that the thing mentioned does not affect or contradict the truth of what you are saying. □  For all its faults, the film instantly became a classic.

19 PHRASE You use for all in phrases such as for all I know , and for all he cares , to emphasize that you do not know something or that someone does not care about something. [EMPHASIS ] □  For all we know, he may even not be in this country. □  You can go right now for all I care.

20 PHRASE If you give your all or put your all into something, you make the maximum effort possible. □  He puts his all into every game.