From A to Z

Meaning

The idiom "from A to Z" means to cover or discuss everything about a topic, from the beginning (A) to the end (Z). It is used to convey that someone has talked about or learned every aspect of something.

Usage

• The teacher went through the syllabus from A to Z during the first lecture.
• The new employee was given a crash course on company policies, and she learned everything from A to Z.
• The CEO's speech covered all aspects of the project, from A to Z.
• The tourists visited every historical site in the city, from the old town square to the Zoo.
• The doctor explained the disease symptoms from A to Z, and recommended treatments accordingly. The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context. For example, it can be used in a more casual setting, such as when talking with friends or family, or in a more formal setting, such as when reporting on a news story or giving a speech.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom is uncertain, but it has been used in English since at least the 17th century. One possible explanation is that it comes from the idea of listing all the letters of the alphabet to describe everything comprehensively. Another possibility is that it is related to the phrase "from A to Z" or "A to Z", which was used in early dictionaries to indicate that a word had only one definition. Over time, the usage of this idiom has become more common and versatile, and it is now widely recognized as a figurative expression for covering all aspects of something.

Synonyms in English

• Completely
• Entirely
• Thoroughly
• Comprehensively
• In detail

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: Por completo o por entero
• French: En totalité ou en entier
• German: Ganzlich oder völlig
• Italian: Completo o intero
• Chinese: 完全的或整体的 (wèi qiān de hé zhège tǐ)

Similar Idioms

• from the bottom of my heart

• filthy rich

• fiddle while Rome burns