ball of wax

American  

noun

Informal.

1. everything, including all details, parts, etc., relating to a particular matter.

   He came back from Chicago with the contract for the whole ball of wax.

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Etymology

Origin of ball of wax

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

“It’s the same sort of ball of wax: People getting frustrated, feeling strained and acting out toward others,” said Charis E. Kubrin, a criminologist at the University of California, Irvine.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2022

I want to add another layer of complexity to this already thick ball of wax.

From Slate • Dec. 7, 2020

“Having to deal with ‘Nirvana Inc.’ is a whole different ball of wax than just dealing with Krist, Kurt and Dave.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2020

A: We’re the whole ball of wax as performers and actors, and comedy is kind of a serious thing.

From Washington Post • Apr. 7, 2016

By the first light of dawn, I poured the stream of black liquid into a small bottle and stopped it with a ball of wax.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein