everything and the kitchen sink: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘everything and the kitchen sink’ mean?
The idiom "everything and the kitchen sink" means including every possible thing or item, often used to describe a situation or a collection that is excessive or overloaded.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "in every sense of the word" means that something is true or accurate in every possible way or aspect. It emphasizes the completeness or thoroughness of a particular statement or description.
The idiom "head to toe" means completely or fully, often referring to being covered or dressed from head to toe in something.
The idiom "go all the way" means to fully commit or complete a task or action without hesitation or reservation.
The idiom "go all out" means to put in maximum effort or to do something with full dedication and enthusiasm.
The idiom "full to the gills" means completely or excessively full, often referring to a person or a container that is completely filled to its capacity.
"From soup to nuts" is an idiom used to describe a comprehensive or complete range of things or activities, covering everything from the beginning to the end.
The idiom "everything but the kitchen sink" means including almost everything, often used to express an excessive or overwhelming amount of things or information.
The idiom "everyone and their mother" is used to emphasize that a large number of people or things are involved in a situation. It often implies that the situation is crowded, overwhelming, or exaggerated.
The idiom "everyone and his mother" is used to emphasize the widespread or excessive presence of people. It implies that a large number of individuals, including those who may not be directly involved or relevant to a situation, are present or involved.
Eclectic Origins Revealed
The idiom "everything but the kitchen sink" is closely related to the phrase "everything and the kitchen sink." "Everything but the kitchen sink" is used to emphasize the inclusion of a large number or variety of things, with the exception of one specific item or element. This idiom is often used in a playful or humorous context to convey the idea of including nearly everything imaginable, leaving out only the most obvious or essential item.
For example, one might say, "She packed everything but the kitchen sink for the camping trip," meaning that she packed an excessive amount of items for the trip, excluding only the most obvious and necessary item, the kitchen sink.
The idiom "everything but the kitchen sink" can be seen as a variation or extension of the original idiom "everything and the kitchen sink," further emphasizing the idea of an overwhelming or excessive amount of things.
The idiom "and all this" is another related expression that is used to add emphasis to a statement or list of things. It is often used when listing a series of items, events, or actions, indicating that there is more to include than what has been explicitly mentioned.
For example, one might say, "We had a delicious dinner - steak, mashed potatoes, salad, and all this," to indicate that there were additional side dishes, beverages, or desserts that were not specifically mentioned.
The idiom "everyone and their mother" is another idiom related to the concept of including a large number or variety of things or people. It is often used to emphasize the popularity, ubiquity, or wide-reaching nature of a particular phenomenon, event, or group of people.
For example, one might say, "The concert was so crowded, it seemed like everyone and their mother was there," to convey the idea that a vast number of people attended the concert.
The idioms "everything but the kitchen sink," "and all this," and "everyone and their mother" all share the common theme of emphasizing the inclusion of a large amount or variety of things, with a touch of exaggeration or emphasis. These idioms add color, energy, and expressiveness to language, allowing for the effective communication of abundance, thoroughness, and overwhelming quantities.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *everything and the kitchen sink* can be used in a sentence:
- She packed everything and the kitchen sink for her two-week trip.
- When they moved out, they took everything and the kitchen sink with them.
- He tried to fit everything and the kitchen sink into his small backpack.
More "Colloquial" idioms
