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

"Say, he's all wool and a yard wide, even if he does look like a softy," declared Pete, to himself.

From The Border Boys Across the Frontier by Goldfrap, John Henry

This was greeted with shouts and cries of "Good for 'Zeke!" while one of Cobb's twins, who possessed a thin, high voice, cried out, "He's all wool and a yard wide."

From Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mason's Corner Folks A Picture of New England Home Life by Pidgin, Charles Felton

You know I had some sort of idea that love that was all wool, and a yard wide, and meant business, usually got vocal at times.”

From Hepsey Burke by Westcott, Frank N. (Frank Noyes)

"He's all wool and a yard wide," agreed Bart.

From Army Boys on the Firing Line or, Holding Back the German Drive by Randall, Homer