on earth
Idioms-
Also, in creation ; in the world . Ever, anywhere, of all possible things. These phrases are all used for emphasis in questions or, less often, in a negative context. For example, What on earth is he doing with a spade? or Where in creation did that child go? or How in the world do you expect me to carry all those bags? [Late 1700s]
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like nothing on earth . Incomparable. For example, That perfume smells like nothing on earth , or Her new hair color is like nothing on earth . [c. 1900]
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.
A crash today would directly hit some of the largest corporations on earth.
From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026
The center had much to show for its work on earth systems modeling and had made technical progress on carbon capture and storage.
From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026
"We have our feet grounded on earth and we feel and think in the right manner."
From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026
Yes, it’s optional, but what on earth is going on?
From MarketWatch • Jun. 24, 2026
How to smuggle food out of the house when there was barely enough to go round anyway; what to do about Hannie; and how on earth to process what I now knew about Hugo.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
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.
