one-size-fits-all

American  

[wuhn-sahyz-fits-awl] / ˈwʌnˈsaɪzˌfɪtsˈɔl /

adjective

1. (of clothing) designed to fit people of a wide range of sizes.

2. Informal. acceptable or used for a wide variety of purposes or circumstances; appealing or suitable to a variety of tastes.

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one-size-fits-all British  

adjective

1. relating to policies or approaches that are standard and not tailored to individual needs

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Etymology

Origin of one-size-fits-all

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

one-size-fits-all

If sectoral bargaining becomes the gig-work norm, labor negotiations could impose one-size-fits-all rules such as arranged scheduling, which would permit drivers to work only at certain times.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

"They need to change the way that they're thinking they can teach students as a one-size-fits-all."

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

“There’s no one-size-fits-all answer,” says Steve Silver, a lawyer at Littler who advises clients on employee policies.

From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026

It does suggest that one-size-fits-all prescribing after heart attack may need to give way to more personalized decisions, especially for patients with preserved heart function.

From Science Daily ● May 25, 2026

The one-size-fits-all costume didn’t fit me, the shortest shepherd in the class, so I had to keep pushing up the sleeves.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass