all-over

British  

adjective

1. covering the entire surface

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all over Idioms  

1. Everywhere. The phrase may be used alone, as in I've looked all over for that book , or The very thought of poison ivy makes me itch all over . In addition it can be used as a preposition, meaning “throughout,” as in The news spread all over town . [Early 1600s] Also see far and wide .

2. In all respects, as in He is his Aunt Mary all over . Charles Lamb had this usage in a letter (1799) about a poem: “The last lines ... are Burns all over.” [Early 1700s]

3. Also, all over again . Again from the beginning. For example, They're going to play the piece all over , or Do you mean you're starting all over again? [Mid-1500s]

4. Also, all over with . Quite finished, completed, as in By the time I arrived the game was all over , or Now that she passed the test, her problems are all over with . This phrase uses over in the sense of “finished,” a usage dating from the 1300s. Also see all over but the shouting ; have it (all over) , def. 4.

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Example Sentences

But this is Image Magazine, so I will fearlessly match our readers’ freak and suggest this wild set from Brain Dead with a trippy pseudo-camo all-over print.

From Los Angeles Times

A cordon was put in place and emergency workers in all-over protective clothing examined the scene, but no trace of any hazardous substance was found.

From BBC

The shoes feature an all-over sandy suede, with gold and jade accents on the shank plate and outsole.

From Los Angeles Times

An all-over skin laser treatment he's been having has reduced his skin age by 22 years, the greatest age reduction in any part of his body.

From BBC

He told me the all-over skin laser treatment he's been having has reduced his skin age by 22 years, the greatest age reduction in any part of his body.

From BBC

Related Words

• broad
• common
• comprehensive
• extensive
• global
• prevalent
• ubiquitous
• unlimited