all things to all men

Liked or appreciated by everyone, usually through overt efforts to please them. The phrase likely originated in the Bible. I know you want your students to like you, but you have to discipline them when they misbehave. You can't be all things to all men. I don't trust that candidate—he is trying to be all things to all men and still hasn't committed to a clear course of action.

all things to all men

and all things to all people

Fig. [for someone or something] liked or used by all people; [for someone or something] everything that is wanted by all people. You simply can't be all things to all people. The candidate set out to be all things to all men and came off looking very wishy-washy.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Festus	FES-təs (English)	Ancient Roman, Biblical Latin, Biblical
Jackson	['dʒæksn]
Vappu	VAHP-poo	Finnish
Abacuc	-	Biblical Latin
Bampton	['bæmptən]
Zulfaqar	-	Arabic