on earth

Idioms  

1. 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]

2. 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]

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Example Sentences

“The capital of the most powerful nation on earth appears to be without a vital, fully functioning newspaper to cover it,” columnist Peggy Noonan lamented in the Wall Street Journal.

From Salon

How on earth did he pull that off?

From The Wall Street Journal

"What on earth are you talking about, Sam?"

From Literature

This means he must pay a professional to do little more than google the price of an asset that trades constantly in some of the most liquid markets on earth.

From The Wall Street Journal

The capital of the most powerful nation on earth appears to be without a vital, fully functioning newspaper to cover it.

From The Wall Street Journal