All in all

Meaning

The idiom "all in all" is used to describe the overall situation or outcome of something, taking into account all the various factors involved. It can be used to express satisfaction, dissatisfaction, or resignation, depending on the context. Figuratively, it means that everything considered together adds up to a certain amount or quality.

Usage

• "In the end, after considering all the pros and cons, I decided to take the job offer." (satisfaction)
• "The company's financial situation is not ideal, but their efforts are commendable nonetheless." (resignation)
• "Despite the challenges faced, the project was completed on time and within budget." (satisfaction)
• "I couldn't help but feel that the movie didn't live up to my expectations, despite its positive reviews." (dissatisfaction)
• "The weather forecast is difficult to predict, as it's expected to rain all in all throughout the day." (neutrality)

Roots and History

The phrase "all in all" is believed to have originated from Middle English as "alhalein all," meaning "to put everything in total." It has since evolved to its current usage, which is more general and can be used to express a range of emotions. The idiom has been commonly used in English literature and speech for centuries, and has no known regional variations.

Synonyms in English

• All told or all in all
• In sum or all in all
• As a whole or all in all
• By way of conclusion or all in all
• On balance or all in all

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "En todo" (all in total)
• French: "En entier" (in total)
• German: "Ganz und ganz" (completely and completely)
• Italian: "In tutto" (in total)
• Portuguese: "Em tudo" (in total)

Similar Idioms

• as for

• as a matter of fact

• at death’s door