Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (4 page)

all in all
AND
all things considered; on balance
a transition indicating a summary, a generalization, or the announcement of a conclusion.
B
ILL
: All in all, this was a fine evening. A
LICE
: I think so too.
“Our time at the conference was well spent, all in all,” thought Fred.
B
ILL
: How did it go? A
LICE
: On balance, it went quite well.
B
OB
: Did the play turn a profit? F
RED
: I suppose that we made a nice profit, all things considered.

All is not lost
.
Things are not totally bad.; This is not a total failure.
Don't worry. I'll help. All is not lost.
All is not lost. Here comes Reggie with a jar of French mustard!

all over 1
.
completed; done; finished.
Hooray. The play has ended, and it was it a huge success. Yippee! It's all over!
It's all over for Fred. He was fired today, and two guards led him out of the building
.
2
.
everywhere.
T
OM
: I think I shouldn't have mentioned Fred's problems. I hope it doesn't become gossip. A
NN
: You should have keep your mouth shut. It's all over now.
The disease started out slowly, hitting only a few neighborhoods. Now it's all over.

All right. 1
.
an indication of agreement or acquiescence. (Often pronounced
aright
in familiar conversation.)
F
ATHER
: Do it now, before you forget. B
ILL
: All right.
T
OM
: Please remember to bring me back a pizza. S
ALLY
: All right, but I get some of it
.
2
.
(Usually
All right
!
) a shout of agreement or encouragement.
A
LICE
: Come on, let's give Sally some encouragement. F
RED
: All right, Sally! Keep it up! You can do it!
“That's the way to go! All right!” shouted various members of the audience.