all wool and a yard wide

Idioms  

1. Genuine, not fake; of excellent quality; also, honorable. For example, You can count on Ned—he's all wool and a yard wide. This metaphorical term alludes to a length of highly valued pure-wool cloth that measures exactly a yard (and not an inch less). [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

He's the same old Frank . . . just like he was before the election ... all wool and a yard wide.

From Time Magazine Archive

His heart is of gold, pure 14-carat gold, all wool and a yard wide.

From News Writing The Gathering , Handling and Writing of News Stories by Spencer, M. Lyle (Matthew Lyle)

"Your little granddaughter belongs to the new cult; and I can assure you she is dyed in the wool, and moreover is all wool and a yard wide."

From Jewel by Burnham, Clara Louise

He's "all wool and a yard wide" in everything he does, and, if you don't find his lemonade is pure stuff, made of real lemons, my name is not James Streeter.

From The Quilt that Jack Built; How He Won the Bicycle by Barry, Etheldred B. (Etheldred Breeze)

"He's all wool and a yard wide, isn't he?"

From Tom Slade with the Colors by Clarity, Thomas