Meaning of all things to all people | Babel Free

Definitions

Someone or something that entirely satisfies the expectations of everyone, no matter how diverse and conflicting those expectations may be.

idiomatic, often

Examples

“It was obviously his policy to appear all things to all people. He could not venture to take any decided course.”

“No longer can we be all things to all people! We must decide which path to follow — are we to be physicians assistants, coordinators, supervisors, or skilled practitioners of nursing. The choice is ours!”

“Most Poles realize that Solidarity cannot go on being all things to all people: trade union, political party, shaper of the country's future.”

“Mr. Clinton is often accused of wanting to be all things to all people, but that is a classic occupational hazard of his job.”

“"There's also a problem about schools being expected to be all things to all people."”

CEFR level