Tom, Dick, and Harry

American  

noun

1. the ordinary person; people generally; everyone.

   They invited every Tom, Dick, and Harry to the party.

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Tom, Dick, and Harry British  

noun

1. an ordinary, undistinguished, or common person (esp in the phrases every Tom, Dick, and Harry; any Tom, Dick, or Harry )

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Tom, Dick, and Harry Cultural  

1. A phrase referring to randomly chosen people: “I asked you to keep my plans secret, but you've told them to every Tom, Dick, and Harry.”

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Etymology

Origin of Tom, Dick, and Harry

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Tom, Dick, and Harry

Sitters included many a Tom, Dick and Harry, as well as Burgess Meredith, who played Harry in the 1941 film “Tom, Dick and Harry.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026

“It was like every Tom, Dick and Harry was encouraged to voice their opinions about what they thought I should do,” Levesque writes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2024

“If you let in every Tom, Dick and Harry you dilute some of your prestige, and it becomes hard to make decisions,” said Mr. Richey.

From Washington Times ● May 18, 2023

The price of basic materials shot up as “every Tom, Dick and Harry became an essential provider,” Pillay said.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 4, 2020

Tom, Dick, and Harry there, wanting to know about his venture.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham