all it’s cracked up to be: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘all it's cracked up to be’ mean?
The idiom "all it's cracked up to be" means that something is not as good or impressive as it was expected or claimed to be.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "leave something to be desired" means that something is not as good as it should be or as one would expect it to be.
The idiom "it's all good" is used to express that everything is okay or there are no problems. It is often used to reassure others or to indicate that there is no reason to be worried or concerned.
The idiom "go wrong" means that something does not go as planned or expected, and results in a failure or a mistake.
An idiom that describes a situation where something unexpectedly turns out to be successful or advantageous, despite initial expectations. The outcome is usually positive, but may also involve a degree of unpredictability or chaos.
The idiom "full of it" means to be speaking insincerely or to be exaggerating or lying about something.
The idiom "full of it" is a commonly used phrase in American English. Here are the facts about its meaning and history:
The idiom "everything one touches turns to shit" means that everything a person comes into contact with or tries to do goes wrong or becomes a disaster.
The idiom "easier said than done" means that something is much more difficult to accomplish than it sounds or appears to be.
The idiom "down the pan" means that something has gone wrong or failed completely.
The idiom "devil in disguise" means that someone or something appears good or harmless but turns out to be a problem or evil in reality.
Decoding Expectations
The idiom "all it's cracked up to be" is commonly used to express skepticism or disappointment about something that was expected to be impressive, but ultimately falls short of those expectations. The phrase uses the word "cracked up," which means to have a reputation or expectation. It does not refer to physical damage, but rather to being praised or hyped up.
This idiom is often used in a negative sense, suggesting that the reality of something does not live up to the high praise or expectations that have been set for it. It implies that the actual experience or quality of the thing in question is less impressive or satisfying than what was originally believed or advertised.
For example, you might hear someone say, "I finally got to try that famous restaurant, but honestly, it wasn't all it was cracked up to be."
The idiom can be traced back to at least the early 19th century, and while its exact origin is uncertain, it has become a common part of American English. It is predominantly used in informal or colloquial speech and writing.
This sense of disappointment or skepticism is also conveyed by related idioms, such as "all ends up," "leave something to be desired," and "ain't what it used to was."
The idiom "all ends up" is used to describe a situation where the outcome or result is not what was expected or desired. It suggests that something has ended in a less than favorable way, similar to "all it's cracked up to be" implying that the actual experience falls short of the expectations.
An example of using "all ends up" in a sentence could be: "I worked so hard to plan the perfect vacation, but it all ends up being a series of unfortunate events."
Similarly, the idiom "leave something to be desired" is used to express dissatisfaction or disappointment with the quality or performance of something. It suggests that there are aspects that are lacking or could be improved upon, again paralleling the idea that "all it's cracked up to be" does not meet the expected standards.
For instance, someone may say, "The new smartphone certainly leaves something to be desired in terms of battery life."
Lastly, the idiom "ain't what it used to was" is used to express a nostalgic or lamenting sentiment about how something has changed for the worse over time. It implies that the current state or condition of something is not as good as it was in the past, further highlighting the theme of unmet expectations in "all it's cracked up to be."
An example of using "ain't what it used to was" could be: "I remember when this neighborhood used to have a real sense of community, but now it just ain't what it used to was."
The idiom "all it's cracked up to be" is commonly used to express disappointment or skepticism when something falls short of the high expectations or praise it has received. Its origin is uncertain, but it has become a part of American English and is used in informal contexts. This sense of disappointment is reflected in related idioms like "all ends up," "leave something to be desired," and "ain't what it used to was." These idioms share the common theme of unmet expectations or a perceived decline in quality. They serve as reminders that appearances and reputation can be deceiving and that true excellence is not always easy to find.
Example usage
Examples of the idiom "all it's cracked up to be":
- The new restaurant in town is not all it's cracked up to be; the food was mediocre and the service was slow.
- I had high expectations for the movie after reading the reviews, but it wasn't all it was cracked up to be; the plot was confusing and the acting was lackluster.
- He thought the job would be all it's cracked up to be, but he soon realized it was much more demanding and stressful than he had anticipated.
Analysis:
The idiom "all it's cracked up to be" is used to express disappointment or a realization that something is not as good as it was expected or hyped up to be. It suggests that the thing or situation does not live up to its perceived reputation or reputation. The idiom is commonly used in informal contexts, such as in conversations or informal writing.
In the first example sentence, the speaker had heard a lot of positive things about the new restaurant, but after visiting it, they found that it did not meet their expectations in terms of the food and service.
The second example sentence illustrates the disappointment the speaker experienced with a movie that had received rave reviews. Despite the positive buzz, the movie fell short in terms of its confusing plot and lackluster acting.
In the third example sentence, someone had high hopes for a job they had taken, but soon discovered that it was far more demanding and stressful than they had anticipated.
Overall, the idiom "all it's cracked up to be" highlights the contrast between the expectations or reputation surrounding something and its actual reality, emphasizing a feeling of letdown or disillusionment.
More "Expectations" idioms
