whole shooting match: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘whole shooting match’ mean?
The idiom "whole shooting match" means the entirety or complete package of something. It implies including every element or aspect related to a particular situation, often used to emphasize that nothing has been left out or excluded.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "whole shebang" means everything or the entirety of something. It is often used when referring to a complete package, group, or set of things.
The idiom "whole enchilada" means the entirety or everything of a particular thing or situation.
The idiom "whole box of tricks" refers to a person or thing that possesses a wide range of skills, abilities, or resources. It suggests that the subject has a complete set or collection of tools or methods for accomplishing a task or achieving a goal.
The idiom "whole ball of wax" means considering or encompassing everything related to a particular situation or topic.
The idiom *shoot 'em up* means an action-packed and violent entertainment, typically a movie or a video game, where there is a lot of shooting and fighting.
The idiom "say it all" means to fully express or reveal everything, leaving nothing unsaid or unexplained.
The idiom "on the whole" means considering all aspects or generally speaking.
The idiom *one and the same* means that two or more things or people are identical or indistinguishable from each other.
The idiom "one and all" means every single person or thing, without exception.
The idiom "of a piece" means that things or elements are similar or consistent in nature, quality, or character.
In-Depth Perspective
The idiom "whole shooting match" is a phrase commonly used in American English. It means the entirety of something, typically a complex or complete situation. The term "shooting match" likely comes from the sport of shooting, where participants would engage in a series of rounds or matches. Over time, the expression expanded beyond its literal meaning and began to represent a complete or comprehensive set of circumstances.
The term "whole" in the idiom emphasizes the entirety or completeness of the situation being described. It suggests that all aspects or elements are included, leaving nothing out. In this context, "shooting match" can be seen as a metaphorical representation of a complex or extensive affair that encompasses all relevant components.
The idiom "whole shooting match" is commonly used in informal conversations and written texts to emphasize the comprehensive nature of something or to describe a situation in its entirety. It is often employed in American English, particularly in colloquial settings.
One example of the idiom's usage is in the sentence, "He decided to quit his job and move abroad, leaving behind the whole shooting match." Here, the phrase is used to convey the idea that the person is leaving behind everything associated with their current situation, encompassing all aspects of their life or work.
The related idiom "whole shebang" is another expression used to describe a complete or comprehensive situation. It can be used interchangeably with "whole shooting match" to emphasize the entirety of something. Both idioms convey the idea that everything is included and nothing is left out.
The idiom "whole enchilada" is similar to "whole shooting match" and "whole shebang" in that it represents the entirety of something. It originated from Mexican cuisine, where an enchilada is a stuffed and rolled tortilla covered in sauce. The phrase "whole enchilada" is used to describe a complete or comprehensive situation, just like the other idioms.
Another related idiom is "whole ball of wax." Similar to the previous idioms, it emphasizes the entirety of something. The phrase likely comes from the use of wax for making seals before the invention of glue. The entire ball of wax was needed to create a complete seal. In the same way, "whole ball of wax" is used to describe a comprehensive situation that includes everything.
The idiom "as a whole" is slightly different from the previous idioms. It is used to refer to something in its entirety, without emphasizing the complexity or completeness of the situation. It can be used to talk about a group of things or people as a whole, examining them collectively rather than individually.
The idiom "whole shooting match" is a commonly used expression in American English. It originated from the sport of shooting and evolved to represent a comprehensive or complete set of circumstances. The phrase is widely used to emphasize the entirety of something and is commonly employed in colloquial conversations and written texts. Its figurative nature allows for a broad range of applications and provides a vivid way of describing a complex or complete situation. Although the exact origin of the phrase remains uncertain, its usage continues to be prevalent, lending itself to various contexts and contributing to the richness of the English language.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *whole shooting match* can be used in a sentence:
1. "I won the lottery and now I can afford to buy the whole shooting match: the house, the car, and the dream vacation."
2. "After months of saving, she finally bought the whole shooting match of camping equipment: tent, sleeping bags, cooking gear, and more."
3. "He decided to quit his job and start his own business, so he sold the whole shooting match: the office furniture, computers, and all the equipment."
More "Miscellaneous" idioms
