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

When it came to quick work, Mike was certainly ‘all wool and a yard wide.’

From Project Gutenberg

“In spite of your loose ends you were—what do you call it? ‘all wool and a yard wide,’ but I was the original prune.”

From Project Gutenberg

"All wool and a yard wide!" came from Tom.

From Project Gutenberg

I'm glad to feed and clothe and educate her; and to keep her forever if necessary; because she's all wool and a yard wide—you know what I mean.

From Project Gutenberg

The passengers are the right sort, every man and woman among ’em all wool and a yard wide.

From Project Gutenberg