What does “From soup to nuts” mean?
"From soup to nuts" means covering every aspect or detail from the beginning to the end.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He explained the entire process to me, from soup to nuts.
Example
I had to clean the entire house, from soup to nuts.
Example
The project took me all day, from soup to nuts
Is “From soup to nuts” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“From soup to nuts” 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 “From soup to nuts” effectively in context?
You can use "From Soup to Nuts" to describe something that includes or covers everything from beginning to end. It emphasizes the completeness or thoroughness of a task or process. For example, if someone asks you how your day was, you might say, 'I had to clean the entire house, from soup to nuts.'
- 1Explanation
He explained the entire process to me, from soup to nuts.
- 2Household Chores
I had to clean the entire house, from soup to nuts.
- 3Project Completion
The project took me all day, from soup to nuts.
Similar phrases to “From soup to nuts”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “From soup to nuts” come from?
The origin of the phrase "From Soup to Nuts" can be traced back to the early 20th century. It originated from the practice of serving a multi-course meal, where soup was typically served as the first course and nuts were served as the final course. The phrase came to represent the entirety of a meal, and eventually expanded to refer to anything that encompasses a complete range or covers all aspects of something.
Is “From soup to nuts” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "From Soup to Nuts" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to convey the idea of covering or including everything from start to finish. It is frequently used in various contexts, such as describing a task, explaining a process, or summarizing an experience.
What tone does “From soup to nuts” have?
"From Soup to Nuts" conveys a tone of completeness and thoroughness. It suggests that every aspect or detail has been considered or addressed. It can also imply a sense of exhaustion or completion after going through the entire process.
Can “From soup to nuts” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "From Soup to Nuts" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that can be used in casual conversations with friends or colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, reports, or written correspondence.
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, 'He explained the entire process to me, from soup to nuts.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'I did it from soup to nuts!' to imply completing a task thoroughly.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- the whole shebang
- the whole enchilada
- from start to finish
- the whole kit and caboodle
- the whole hog
- the whole ball of wax
