by all means
Idioms-
Also, by all manner of means . In every possible way, as in I plan to make use of him by all means . [Late 1400s]
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Also, by all manner of means . Without fail, at any cost, as in Losing the contract is to be avoided by all means . [c. 1600]
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Certainly, yes, as in Are you coming tonight?—By all means, I'll be there . [Late 1600s] Also see by any means ; by no means .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I'm not expecting, by all means, anywhere near the full pipeline to be delivered in any market, but equally in Glasgow and Edinburgh," he said.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
“The last 10 years don’t happen without Aaron Donald, and if he wants to come help kick off the next 10 years, by all means we’re ready.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
"If they want to initiate extradition proceedings, by all means," he added, calling extradition cases in US courts "a demanding procedure".
From Barron's ● May 10, 2026
They can still board first, by all means, but they’ll head right to the back.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 5, 2026
“The handkerchief to begin with. Let us by all means be orderly and methodical.”
From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
