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

A nation that masters this technology will be able to break any standard encryption on earth and accelerate other sciences beyond the understanding of countries without quantum computing.

From The Wall Street Journal

So, like the rest of us, it is waiting to see what on earth will happen in the six weeks before its next meeting at the end of April.

From BBC

MM: Neal, what on earth convinced you that you could add something to one of the world’s most popular writing books —written by your wife, no less?

From Los Angeles Times

Tante Jans believed that our welfare in the hereafter depended on how much we could accomplish here on earth.

From Literature

“We’ve had discussions with Morocco, which has the largest reserve of potash anywhere on earth.”

From The Wall Street Journal