anything goes

Idioms  

1. Everything is permitted, as in You're wearing sneakers to the office?—Why not? Anything goes these days. This idiom began life as everything goes, which appeared in George Meredith's novel The Egoist (1879). In America anything was the preferred word, which gained further currency with Cole Porter's use of the term as the title of his 1934 song and musical comedy, Anything Goes!

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Example Sentences

The era of anything goes in private-credit underwriting is coming to an end.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

And if anything goes wrong, he’ll happily take the fall.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

The set-up changed a little - with Wilson taking over guitar duties - but their free-wheeling, anything goes approach was set in stone.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Experts also advise traveling in groups, and bringing a satellite communication device to contact help if anything goes wrong.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2025

“No way! If anything goes wrong, I’d rather have Holo at the END—that way he can make up for lost time!” said Seven.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega