all in all

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all in all (idiom)
/ˌɔːl ɪn ˈɔːl/

Meanings

• Considering everything; taking all factors into account.
• Overall; in general, when judging something.
• Despite small problems, the final result is good or acceptable.
• Used to give a final summary or conclusion.

Synonyms: overall; generally; on balance; in general; by and large; taking everything into account.

Example Sentences

1. All in all, the event was successful even though a few things went wrong.
2. The day was tiring but, all in all, it turned out to be quite rewarding.
3. The movie had a slow start, but it was all in all an enjoyable experience.
4. We faced several challenges; all in all, we made the best possible decision.

Etymology and Origin

Biblical Foundations

The idiom “all in all” traces back to a single powerful idea in early Christian scripture. It described the complete supremacy of God, the sense that one divine presence fills everything and stands as the ultimate reality in all things. This religious shade of meaning captured how God encompasses every part of existence without limit.

First Printed Appearance

The earliest printed record of the exact phrase comes from an English Bible translation published in 1539. Known as the Great Bible, the work was prepared under royal authority in England and carried the line in its version of 1 Corinthians 15:28:

“That God maye be all in all.”

The wording appeared in a passage explaining the final triumph of divine order, where every force submits so that God alone remains everything to everyone.

English Origins

The phrase first took shape and entered written use within England. Sixteenth-century Bible translators working in the English language turned the ancient Greek and Latin ideas into this compact English form, making it part of the everyday tongue through widely read scripture. No earlier printed examples have surfaced in other countries or languages in this precise wording.

Early Literary Echoes

Once it entered print, the expression quickly found a place beyond strict theology. Writers began applying it to people or situations to mean “in every respect” or “taken completely.” A well-known early echo appears in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet around 1600, when the prince reflects on his father with the words “He was a man, take him for all in all.” Here the phrase already hints at summing up a whole character without missing any quality.

Shift to Everyday Use

By the early nineteenth century the religious tone had faded and a simpler, more practical sense took over. People started using “all in all” to wrap up thoughts after weighing many details, much like saying “when everything is considered.” Newspapers of the period show the phrase appearing in reviews and commentary exactly this way, marking its move into ordinary conversation.

Modern Meaning and Endurance

Today the idiom lives on as a handy way to offer a balanced conclusion. It signals that the speaker has looked at the full picture—good points and flaws alike—before giving an overall judgment. Its journey from solemn scripture to casual summary shows how a few short words can travel centuries while keeping their helpful clarity.

Variants

• all things considered
• on the whole
• when all is said and done

Biblical

Last update: May 4, 2026 12:14 AM