shebang
Americannoun
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Informal. the structure of something, as of an organization, contrivance, or affair.
The whole shebang fell apart when the chairman quit.
-
a primitive dwelling; shack; shanty.
noun
-
a situation, matter, or affair (esp in the phrase the whole shebang )
-
a hut or shack
Etymology
Origin of shebang
1860–65, origin uncertain (perhaps alteration of char-à-banc ( def. ), though sense shift unclear; shebeen, often cited as the source, is implausible both phonetically and semantically)
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.
Clarity tells us it’s simply not possible to help everyone, and trying to do so will topple the whole shebang.
From Los Angeles Times
Davies says: "I play Rob from the age of 15 right the way through to the end of the film... It's full body, voice, dancing - the whole shebang."
From BBC
Fact: The Dodgers are perfectly set up to finish this shebang by the end of the week.
From Los Angeles Times
That changed in their first game since Foster went from running backs coach to running the whole shebang.
From Los Angeles Times
"We're ready to move on to making the whole shebang in the acoustic domain."
From Science Daily
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.
