to a fare-thee-well

Idioms  

1. To the most extreme degree, especially a condition of perfection. For example, We've cleaned the house to a fare-thee-well, or He played the part of martyr to a fare-thee-well. This term first appeared as to a fare-you-well in the late 1800s, and the more archaic-sounding present form replaced it about 1940.

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Example Sentences

In 500 years, fantasy California-style has been refined and marketed to a fare-thee-well, so much so that tourism is the second-biggest moneymaker in both places.

From Los Angeles Times

Think of them as you would your home movies — if those were polled and focus-grouped to a fare-thee-well.

From Los Angeles Times

Fuller either used poor tackling technique by leading with his head instead of his shoulder — or, as participants and observers have come to articulate to a fare-thee-well, the speed and territorial demands of this sport simply don't allow the time for textbook form on every play, at least not if you want to succeed.

From Salon

The former is a lovely sentiment, and the latter is disrespectful of their clear boundaries and guilt-trippy to a fare-thee-well, and awareness can make all the difference.

From Washington Post

Susan Collins, I can’t imagine the exhaustion of your role as political wild card, scrutinized to a fare-thee-well.

From New York Times