all over the board: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘all over the board’ mean?
The idiom "all over the board" means to be inconsistent or varied in one's actions or statements, lacking focus or direction.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "here, there and everywhere" means to be present or found in many different places or situations, often with little focus or purpose.
The idiom "go wild" means to become extremely excited or enthusiastic, often losing control of one's behavior or actions.
The idiom "go overboard" means to go to great or excessive lengths, often beyond what is necessary or reasonable. It implies an extreme or exaggerated action or behavior, often resulting from enthusiasm or excitement.
The idiom "go by the board" means to be disregarded, ignored, or abandoned. It refers to something that is set aside or eliminated, usually due to changing circumstances or priorities.
The idiom "go all out" means to put in maximum effort or to do something with full dedication and enthusiasm.
The idiom "fly off at a tangent" means to suddenly change the subject or direction of a conversation or thought without any apparent reason or connection.
"Every which where" is an idiom used to emphasize that something or someone is located or moving in multiple directions or places. It conveys a sense of confusion, disorder, or chaos.
Every which where is an idiom that has its origins in the English language. It is primarily used in American English and is considered informal. The idiom combines the words "every" and "which" with the adverb "where" to create a unique meaning.
The idiom *boil over* means to lose control of one's emotions and become extremely angry or upset. This expression is often used in situations where emotions reach a point of overflowing or becoming uncontrollable, much like boiling liquid that spills over the edge of a pot.
The idiom "anything goes" means that there are no limits or restrictions on what is acceptable or allowed in a particular situation. It implies a wide range of possibilities and a lack of rules or standards.
The idiom "anything goes" is believed to have originated in the early 1900s, possibly from a nautical or military context.
Enigmatic Extravagance
The idioms "all over the map," "all over the place," "across the board," "all over," and "go by the board" are all related to the idiom "all over the board."
"All over the map" is an idiom that is used to describe something that is disorganized, inconsistent, or lacking a clear direction. It is often used in the context of discussions or plans that cover a wide range of topics or ideas without a clear focus or structure. This idiom can also be used to describe someone's movements or behavior that are erratic or unpredictable.
"All over the place" is another idiom that has a similar meaning to "all over the board." It is used to describe something that is chaotic, haphazard, or lacking a clear pattern. This idiom can be used in various contexts, such as describing someone's thinking or decision-making process that jumps from one idea to another without a coherent plan.
"Across the board" is an idiom that is often used to describe something that is happening universally or without exception. It is used to indicate that something applies to all areas or aspects of a particular situation or topic. For example, if a new policy is implemented "across the board," it means that it applies to everyone involved without any exceptions.
"All over" is a more general idiom that can be used in various contexts to describe something that is widespread, scattered, or covers a large area. It is often used to describe the distribution or occurrence of something, such as a problem or a phenomena, that is present in many different places or situations.
"Go by the board" is an idiom that is used to describe something that is being disregarded or abandoned. It is often used in the context of plans, ideas, or expectations that are no longer considered or put into action. When something "goes by the board," it means that it is being overlooked or dismissed.
These related idioms all convey a similar sense of disorganization, inconsistency, or lack of direction. They can be used interchangeably in certain contexts to describe actions, decisions, plans, or performances that lack coherence or a clear strategy. Whether it's describing a wide range of topics, erratic behavior, universal application, widespread occurrence, or abandonment, these idioms emphasize the importance of clear and coherent actions and decisions in various situations.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "all over the board" can be used in a sentence:
- Her ideas were scattered all over the board, making it difficult to follow her presentation.
- The stock prices were all over the board today, with some companies seeing significant gains and others experiencing sharp declines.
- His opinions on the matter were all over the board, often contradicting himself in the same conversation.
More "Variety" idioms
