Jack of all trades

Meaning

The idiom "jack of all trades" is used to describe someone who is capable of performing many different tasks or jobs well, rather than specializing in a single area of expertise. It can also refer to someone who is resourceful and able to adapt to various situations.

Usage

• John is a jack of all trades, he can fix anything around the house.
• Sarah's job as an event coordinator requires her to be a jack of all trades.
• The new employee has proven to be a jack of all trades, taking on any task that comes their way.
• As a personal assistant, I need to be a jack of all trades to keep up with my boss's demanding schedule.
• When it comes to cooking, I'm definitely a jack of all trades, but not necessarily master of any one dish.

Roots and History

The idiom "jack of all trades" originated in the 17th century, when a "jack" was a term used to describe a worker who could perform many different tasks. Over time, the phrase has come to be used more broadly to refer to someone who is skilled at multiple things, rather than just physical labor.

Synonyms in English

• Utility player
• All-arounder
• Multitasker
• Swiss Army Knife
• Jack of everything

Synonyms in other languages

• "Polylex" (Portuguese) - a person who is skilled at multiple things.
• "Chameleon" (French) - someone who can adapt to different situations and environments.
• "Jack of all trades, master of none" (Spanish) - a phrase similar to the English idiom, but with an emphasis on the tradeoff between being versatile and being highly skilled.
• "Alles oder nothing" (German) - a phrase that translates to "everything or nothing," which can be used to describe someone who is capable of doing many things, but not necessarily excelling at any one thing.

Similar Idioms

• call of duty

• keep on top

• have no business