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all over
all over
1. Crowding, covering, or in close proximity to something, especially in a way that is unwanted or unexpected. In this usage, "all over" is followed by a person. I had barely walked in the door when reporters were all over me for a story.
2. Scattered in many locations in a particular area or place. How can anyone sit down when your clothes are all over the room? How did you not know about the show? There were posters all over campus.
3. Done. Often said when an outcome is no longer possible. It's all over—there's no way we'll score a goal to tie it in the last seconds. The party's all over now—people started leaving an hour ago. It's all over with me and Diane. We just fought too much.
all over
1. and (all) over with finished. Dinner is all over. I'm sorry you didn't get any. It's all over. He's dead now.
2. everywhere. Oh, I just itch all over. She's spreading the rumor all over.
*all over (some place)
found in every place; available in all locations. (*Typically: be ~; Spread ~.) The window shattered and shards of glass were all over the place. There are ants all over the cake!
all over
in many places My family is spread out all over.
Related vocabulary: all over townall over (again)
another time, starting from the beginning I cleaned the kitchen, the dogs tracked in mud, and I had to do it all over.
all over
1. Everywhere. The phrase may be used alone, as in
I've looked all over for that book, or
The very thought of poison ivy makes me itch all over. In addition it can be used as a preposition, meaning "throughout," as in
The news spread all over town. [Early 1600s] Also see
far and wide.
2. In all respects, as in He is his Aunt Mary all over. Charles Lamb had this usage in a letter (1799) about a poem: "The last lines ... are Burns all over." [Early 1700s]
3. Also, all over again. Again from the beginning. For example, They're going to play the piece all over, or Do you mean you're starting all over again? [Mid-1500s]
4. Also,
all over with. Quite finished, completed, as in
By the time I arrived the game was all over, or
Now that she passed the test, her problems are all over with. This phrase uses
over in the sense of "finished," a usage dating from the 1300s. Also see
all over but the shouting;
have it (all over), def. 4.
all over
1. Completely ended or finished: Their marriage is all over.
2. In every part; everywhere: The storm swept across the island and left damage all over.
3. Typical of the person or thing just mentioned: Making wisecracks like that—that's Jim all over.
4. Showing much romantic interest or being in close contact: He was all over her during the slow dance.
5. Persistently or harshly critical or scolding: The coach was all over me about missing practice.