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3. all things to all people

all things to all people

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all things to all people

Liked or appreciated by everyone, usually through overt efforts to please them. 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 people. I don't trust that candidate—he is trying to be all things to all people and still hasn't committed to a clear course of action.

See also: all, people, thing

all things to all people

everything that every person wants The baseball museum is all things to all people, which means that both old and young can enjoy this visual history of the game.

Usage notes: often as a negative: A political party cannot be all things to all people.

See also: all, people, thing