of all people: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘of all people’ mean?

The idiom "of all people" is used to express surprise or incredulity that a certain person would be involved in a particular situation, given their character, background, or expertise.

Idiom Explorer

Unexpected Origin

The idiom "of all people" is an expression commonly used in the English language. It emphasizes surprise, irony, or disbelief that a specific person or group would be involved in a particular situation or action. The phrase is typically used in spoken and informal language rather than formal writing. It is frequently used when discussing someone's unexpected or ironic involvement in an event or decision.

The idiom "of all things" is often used in conjunction with "of all people" to express astonishment or frustration towards a particular situation or object. It conveys a sense of disbelief that the thing being referred to would be involved in a specific context. For example, one might say, "Of all things, I can't believe he lost his car keys again." This highlights the speaker's surprise at the unexpected occurrence.

The idiom "of all places" is another phrase commonly used in addition to "of all people" to express surprise or disbelief about a specific location. It conveys astonishment that the place being referred to would be involved in a particular context. For instance, one might say, "Of all places, they decided to have their wedding at a haunted mansion." This showcases the speaker's surprise at the unexpected choice of venue.

The use of idioms such as "of all things" and "of all places" adds depth and emphasis to the expression "of all people." These related idioms allow for a more nuanced description of surprising or ironic situations involving individuals or groups. By incorporating these idioms into everyday conversations, individuals can effectively convey their astonishment or frustration in a concise and impactful manner.

The idiom "of all people" is a commonly used expression that emphasizes surprise, irony, or disbelief. It is typically used in spoken and informal language and is frequently employed when discussing someone's unexpected or ironic involvement in an event or decision. The related idioms "of all things" and "of all places" further enhance the expression and allow for a more nuanced description of surprising or ironic situations. Incorporating these idioms into conversations can effectively convey astonishment or frustration and add depth to the speaker's message.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom "of all people" can be used in a sentence:

  1. He was the one who stole my wallet, of all people!
  2. She asked for relationship advice from her youngest brother, of all people.
  3. The boss appointed the laziest employee as the team leader, of all people.

The idiom "of all people" is used to express surprise or frustration when someone unexpected or undesirable is involved in a particular situation. It highlights the irony or disbelief in the person's involvement and implies that they are the last person one would expect or want to be part of the situation.

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