jack of all trades



jack of all trades

A person who is skilled in many different areas. My father could fix cars, build furniture, and program computers—he was a jack of all trades.
See also: all, jack, of, trade

jack of all trades someone

who can do several different jobs instead of specializing in one. John can do plumbing, carpentry, and roofing—a real jack of all trades. He isn't very good at any of them. Take your car to a certified engine mechanic, not a jack of all trades.
See also: all, jack, of, trade

jack of all trades

A versatile person. “Jack” was commonly used as a synonym for “man,” as in “every man jack,” and the phrase was used in a highly complimentary way. But the addition of “and master of none” changed the expression to mean a dabbler or dilettante, which wasn't very flattering at all.
See also: all, jack, of, trade

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Alya-Arabic, Indonesian, Malay
Gregoriogre-GO-ryoItalian, Spanish
Julijana-Slovene, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian
RickieRIK-eeEnglish
Erkan-Turkish
Jeong-Sukjung-sookKorean