{adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. At least the amount or number
of; fully; no less than. •/It was all of ten o’clock before they finally
started./ •/She must have paid all of $50 for that hat./ 2. Showing all
the signs of; completely in. — Used with "a". •/The girls were all of a
twitter before the dance./ •/Mother is all of a flutter because of the
thunder and lightning./ •/The dog was all of a tremble with cold./
[all of a sudden]
See: ALL AT ONCE 2.
[all out]
{adv. phr.}, {informal} With all your strength, power, or
determination; to the best of your ability; without holding back. — Usually
used in the phrase "go all out". •/We went all out to win the game./
•/John went all out to finish the job and was very tired afterwards./
Compare: ALL THE WAY 2, FULL TILT, GO THE WHOLE HOG, GO TO ANY LENGTH, LEAVE A
STONE UNTURNED, WITH MIGHT AND MAIN.
[all-out effort]
{n.} A great and thorough effort at solving a given
problem. •/The President is making an all-out effort to convince Congress to
pass the pending bill on health care./
[all-out war]
{n.} Total war including civilian casualties as opposed
to a war that is limited only to armies. •/Hitler was waging an all-out war
when he invaded Poland./
[all over]
{adv. phr.} 1. In every part; everywhere. •/He has a fever
and aches all over./ •/I have looked all over for my glasses./ Compare:
FAR AND WIDE. 2. {informal} In every way; completely. •/She is her mother
all over./ 3. {informal} Coming into very close physical contact, as
during a violent fight; wrestling. •/Before I noticed what happened, he was
all over me./
[all over but the shouting]
{adv. phr.}{informal} Finally decided
or won; brought to an end; not able to be changed. •/After Bill’s touchdown,
the game was all over but the shouting./ •/John and Tom both tried to win
Jane, but after John’s promotion it was all over but the shouting./
[all over someone]
See: FALL ALL OVER SOMEONE.
[allowance]
See: MAKE ALLOWANCE.
[allow for]
{v.} To provide for; leave room for; give a chance to;
permit. •/She cut the skirt four inches longer to allow for a wide hem./
•/Democracy allows for many differences of opinion./
[all right(1)]
{adv. phr.} 1. Well enough. •/The new machine is
running all right./ 2. {informal} I am willing; yes. •/"Shall we watch
television?" "All right."/ Compare: VERY WELL. 3. {informal} Beyond
question, certainly. — Used for emphasis and placed after the word it
modifies. •/It’s time to leave, all right, but the bus hasn’t come./
[all right(2)]
{adj. phr.} 1. Good enough; correct; suitable. •/His
work is always all right./ 2. In good health or spirits; well. •/"How are
you?" "I’m all right."/ 3. {slang} Good. •/He’s an all right guy./
[all right for you]
{interj.} I’m finished with you! That ends it
between you and me! — Used by children. •/All right for you! I’m not playing
with you any more!/
[all roads lead to Rome]
{literary} The same end or goal may be reached
by many different ways. — A proverb. •/"I don’t care how you get the
answer," said the teacher, "All roads lead to Rome."/
[all set]
{adj. phr.} Ready to start. •/"Is the plane ready for
take-off?" the bank president asked. "Yes, Sir," the pilot answered. "We’re all
set."/