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Synonyms

fill the bill

Idioms  

  1. Serve a particular purpose well, as in I was afraid there wasn't enough chicken for everyone, but this casserole will fill the bill, or Karen's testimony just fills the bill, so we're sure to get a conviction. This expression alludes to adding less-known performers to a program (or bill) in order to make a long enough entertainment. [First half of 1800s]

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.

No matter what kind of dessert I’m looking for, this adaptable almond torte can fill the bill.

From New York Times • Aug. 6, 2021

For those in the mood for a purely escapist farce that won’t strain the brain, Tom Walla’s over-the-top caper should fill the bill.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2019

Woolam wondered if a handmade version, lovingly created by crafters, would fill the bill — and fit the bra.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 22, 2017

Woolam wondered if a handmade version, lovingly created by crafters, would fill the bill - and fit the bra.

From Washington Times • Oct. 22, 2017

The only unisex singular pronoun we have is it, which doesn’t always fill the bill.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

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.