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

Now, there's a feller," went on Charlie after a moment, "that's all wool and a yard wide.

From Quill's Window by McCutcheon, George Barr

Every one o' them true-blue, all wool and a yard wide.

From Si Klegg, Book 6 (of 6) Si And Shorty, With Their Boy Recruits, Enter On The Atlanta Campaign by McElroy, John

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)

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)