What does “Everybody and their uncle” mean?
"Everybody and their uncle" means that a lot of people are involved or present in a situation.
What context can I use the in?
Example
Everybody and their uncle showed up to the concert.
Example
I went to the mall and it was packed, everybody and their uncle was there.
Example
The party was so crowded, it felt like everybody and their uncle was invited
Is “Everybody and their uncle” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Everybody and their uncle” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Everybody and their uncle” effectively in context?
You can use "Everybody and their uncle" to express that a large number of people are present or involved in a particular situation. It emphasizes the idea of a crowd or a significant amount of people. For example, if you attend a popular event and see many people, you might say, 'Everybody and their uncle showed up to the concert.'
- 1Social Events
The party was so crowded, it felt like everybody and their uncle was invited.
- 2Public Places
I went to the mall and it was packed, everybody and their uncle was there.
- 3General Situations
Everybody and their uncle showed up to the concert.
Similar phrases to “Everybody and their uncle”:
Wall-to-wall
Completely filled or covered
Example
The store had wall-to-wall merchandise.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Everybody and their uncle” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Everybody and their uncle" is unknown.
Is “Everybody and their uncle” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Everybody and their uncle" is a common idiom used in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe situations where there are a lot of people present.
What tone does “Everybody and their uncle” have?
"Everybody and their uncle" conveys a tone of exaggeration and humor. It is used to emphasize the large number of people in a situation.
Can “Everybody and their uncle” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Everybody and their uncle" is informal and is commonly used in casual conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. It may not be appropriate for more formal settings.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The party was so crowded, it felt like everybody and their uncle was invited.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Everybody and their uncle!' to imply a large crowd.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- a crowd of people
- a sea of people
- a large gathering
- a multitude of people
- a throng of people
Antonyms
- a handful of people
- a few individuals
- a small gathering
- a sparse crowd